With 2022 preliminary budget, Hempfield looks to extend streak of not raising taxes to 32 years

Hempfield property owners likely will avoid a tax increase for a 32nd consecutive year, after township supervisors approved a 2022 preliminary budget that will keep property taxes at 3 mils — the same rate since 1990.

The balanced budget, totaling almost $15.1 million, was unanimously approved last week.

“This is the most detailed budget I have seen since being here as a supervisor,” Supervisor Tom Logan said during an October meeting.

Township leaders began a revamped budget process in August that included meeting with department heads to discuss operating budgets, new hires that may be needed throughout the year and new initiatives and projects. Leaders took those numbers and compiled it into the proposed budget, which was presented to supervisors in October.

Of expected revenues included in the budget, $13.6 million are from general government; $490,000 from code and safety; $288,000 from fire and emergency services; $473,480 from parks and recreation; $140,500 from planning and zoning and $87,270 from public works, documents show.

Expected expenses include $5.8 million from general government; $548,974 from code and safety; $1.9 from fire and emergency services; $196,334 from finance; $1.2 million from parks and recreation; $149,676 from planning and zoning; $4.9 million from public works and $350,000 for transfers.

The preliminary approval of the 2022 budget came after township leaders in 2020 implemented months of cutbacks and planning to make up for lost expenses because of the covid-19 pandemic. Despite several departments cutting back their budgets, supervisors passed a $13.5 million 2021 budget that did not raise taxes.

Township leaders are hopeful the 2022 budget will be utilized as a working document by department heads throughout the year.

“I think it was well organized and certainly easy to read and follow and will be a good blueprint going forward and quite a useful document for everyone to have on their desk once it is approved so that each department can follow along,” Supervisor Doug Weimer said in October.

The preliminary budget is posted on the township website. The final budget will be up for approval in December.