Pine officials plan no tax hike
Pine residents probably won't pay higher real estate taxes next year.
The township's proposed 2017 budget — slated for adoption on Dec. 5 – holds the municipality's property tax rate at .9980 mills, the lowest 2016 millage in Allegheny County.
Pine's current and proposed tax rate generates a $290.52 property tax bill for owners of a home with an assessed value of $291,100, the median value of a home in Pine.
The township expects to get $12.6 million in revenue next year, but the municipality plans to spend less than that — $12.3 million — on anticipated expenses.
Pine supervisors voted Nov. 7 to advertise the proposed budget, which is on view at Pine Township Municipal Building.
Certified public accountant Jan Kowalski, financial administrator for the township, and Amy Pampiks, administrative operations and human resources manager for Pine, presented the proposed plan to supervisors Oct. 17.
Three years ago, the township's annual revenue began exceeding its annual expenditures after the township paid off its debt, ahead of schedule, for construction of Pine Community Center and the new Wexford Volunteer Fire Department, Kowalski said.
Pine's proposed 2017 budget sets aside $1.9 million for capital improvement projects to address future needs.
Anticipated expenditures include $330,000 in transportation impact fees paid by developers for a new traffic light at the Y-shaped intersection of Babcock Boulevard and Bakerstown Road.
The budget allocates $842,000 to complete expansion of Pine's public works garage on Pearce Mill Road, plus, $9,000 for a Welcome-to-Pine-type sign at a major intersection in the township, and new lighting for similar signs already installed on Route 19.
Northern Regional Police Department will receive $1,583,220 in support from Pine next year.
Wexford Volunteer Fire Department will get $347,000 to help cover operating expenses, future equipment purchases and worker's compensation insurance coverage.
Northern Tier Regional Library will receive $244,260 from Pine in 2017.
To help promote “connectivity” — a stated goal in the township's new 10-year comprehensive plan — Pine's 2017 budget allocates $225,000 for a future trail linking Pine Community Park to Route 19, and $323,000 for construction of a sidewalk along Logan Road leading to the campus of Pine-Richland High School and Pine-Richland Middle School.
Construction of the proposed sidewalk along Logan Road would be contingent on the township receiving a $226,000 Pennsylvania Multi-Modal Transportation Fund grant. If it receives the grant, Pine would contribute $97,000 to the Logan Road sidewalk project.
Deborah Deasy is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach her at 724-772-6369 or ddeasy@tribweb.com.
