Springdale Township to tap into reserves to balance 2024 budget

Springdale Township will tap into its reserves to balance its budget for 2024 and prevent taxpayers from seeing an increase in their bills.

The township estimates it will have $2.3 million in expenditures in 2024 but anticipates only $1.7 million in revenue, said Tim Basilone, vice president of the township commissioners. The millage rate will remain at 6.5 mills.

Township savings will cover the roughly $600,000 deficit this year to avoid a tax increase for residents, Basilone said.

“(There’s) no increase in rates, and no increase in tax,” Basilone said.

Basilone said the township will study ways to cut costs throughout 2024.

About $100,000 is because of inflation, Basilone said. Roughly $500,000 is allocated for street pavingand waterline replacement projects.

“Our infrastructure needs taken care of,” he said. “We budgeted for road repair and waterline replacements, which we desperately need.”

The township’s 2024 share to the Allegheny Valley Regional Police Department is $263,400. That’s about a $26,000 increase from 2023, but it’s still less than what the township would pay for its own police department, Basilone said.

With the regional force, Springdale Township shares police costs with Cheswick and East Deer.

“That’s been working out very well. We’ve saved a lot of money from that,” Basilone said.

Commissioners are scheduled to vote on a final budget at 6 p.m. Dec. 14.