Tentative budget keeps taxes steady in Bullskin Township
BULLSKIN TWP. — Property taxes will remain steady in the township for 2013 under a tentative and balanced budget adopted Wednesday by supervisors.
According to next year’s spending plan, taxes will continue to be set at .459 mills, with one mill generating $240,000.
Supervisor Scott Keefer said taxes have not been raised in the township for over 50 years.
“We are one of the lowest in (Fayette) County,” said supervisor chairman Walter “Deb” Wiltrout.
For a house assessed at $100,000, taxes would cost a homeowner $46 a year.
The tentative spending plan includes $1,163,425 in revenue and expenses.
Wages comprise the bulk of expenses, budgeted at $295,000, coupled with $144,942 for paving, $80,000 for salt and ashes, $55,000 for road repairs, $50,000 for the volunteer fire company, $45,000 for equipment repairs and $40,000 for diesel, gas, heat and propane.
The township will also pay $130,956 for employee health insurance, $36,608 for union pensions and $22,776 for non-union pensions along with $27,407 for Social Security and Medicare.
Additionally, salaries reflect $44,160 for office staff, $15,000 for the solicitor and $6,100 for tax collection.
Under revenue, the township is looking to collect $525,000 in earned income tax and $120,000 in property taxes.
Additional revenues include $247,785 in liquid fuels, $90,000 from franchise fees and $40,000 from foreign fire insurance.
Turning to other business, supervisors adopted an ordinance to set the maximum speed limit on Airport Road, also known as Township Road 740, at 25 mph.
The speed limit will be enforced by the state police from the township line a half-mile to the end of the road and will take effect in five days.
Wiltrout said supervisors have received ongoing complaints of speeding while the state police were previously unable to enforce the speed limit because there wasn’t a sign posted.
“We’ve had some hot-rodders over there,” said Wiltrout.
According to Wiltrout, the other end of the road is located in Lower Tyrone Township.