$597,000 budget approved by Perry Township officials
PERRY TWP. – Township supervisors unanimously approved a $597, 800 budget for the 2010 fiscal year with no property tax increase at Wednesday’s meeting. Supervisors A.J. Boni and Janet Galla voted to approve the budget, which lists $537,800 in expenditures and a balance of about $60,000 for unforeseen expenses.
With no millage rate increase expected, property taxes will remain steady at 1.167 mills. At that rate landowners pay $11.67 for every $10,000 in assessed value, or $58.35 for every $50,000 in assessed value.
Supervisors said they work hard to remain within their budget with rising road maintenance and utility costs.
“You have a budget and you live within it,” said Galla, who handles finances for the township.
Boni said the township is fortunate to be in the position where property taxes do not need to be raised and credited Galla for turning “dimes into dollars.”
However, Boni warned residents of proposed legislation that would cost the township $450,000 and force a five-mill property tax increase.
Boni said the legislation, currently being discussed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, would force all municipalities without their own police department to pay $157 per resident for state police protection.
“You’ll be looking at a five mill tax increase, no maybes or ifs about it,” he said, adding that proposed unfunded mandate would financially cripple municipalities like Perry Township that have an annual operating budget under $1 million.
Boni urged residents to contact their legislators and voice their concern over the proposed legislation.
In other matters, supervisors heard from Widmer Engineering of Connellsville regarding the status of an ongoing waterline project.
In 2008, supervisors entered into a multi-municipal agreement with Lower Tyrone Township for a waterline project involving the North Fayette Municipal Authority that will service 105 homes in Lower Tyrone Township and 29 homes in Perry Township.
Widmer Engineering reported Wednesday that the project is progressing smoothly and that plans are for bids to be accepted in January, with groundbreaking set for spring of 2010.
Boni thanked state Rep. Deberah Kula, D-North Union Twp., for helping the townships acquire a $1 million grant from the state Department of Community and Economic Development to bring water to the homes.