Nov 22, 2012 3 min read

McMURRAY – There will not be an increase in real estate taxes in Peters Township in 2013, although property owners will see a jump in their garbage bills, totalling $18 a year.

Quarterly garbage bills will increase from $46.50 to $51, said Michael Silvestri, township manager, when he presented the proposed 2013 budget Wednesday afternoon. This is the first increase in garbage collection fees in the past five years.

Real estate taxes will remain steady at 13 mills, with each mill generating $327,690. Earned income taxes also will remain the same, at 1 percent, with the township and school district splitting the amount evenly.

Township taxes remained relatively the same from 1988 until 2010, when the rate was increased to 14 mills. That millage was reduced to 13 mills in 2012 and will stay at 13 mills in the proposed 2013 budget, Silvestri said.

In the 2012 budget, the township was expected to end the year with a $4.8 million balance, but thanks to some cost-cutting measures, the estimated year-ending fund balance – similar to a savings account – should be $8.39 million.

“Generally, we’re in very good shape,” Silvestri said.

Revenues are expected to reach slighly more than $16 million with expenditures estimated at $18.6 million. The tentative 2013 budget is about 8 percent less that the 2012 budget of $20.2 million as several capital projects were completed in 2012.

In 2012, the township saw a decrease in the earned income tax collected when the county went to a central tax collector resulting in a lag time. The amount collected is anticipated to increase by about 20 percent in 2013 as the lag time for collection will be eliminated. Silvestri said.

Another good sign the economy is improving is the jump in the number of new housing permits, at 111. The number respresents a 40 percent increase from the past two years, Silvestri said. The only new commercial construction is the St. Clair Hospital Outpatient Center on Washington Road, a property that is not yet on the tax rolls. And when the building is completed, Silvestri said he is not certain how much of the property will be taxable.

The only large commercial project planned for 2013 is the Giant Eagle Express complex that is expected to begin in the spring. A completion date has not been announced.

The municipal building is due for a major overhaul, which is expected in 2013. Changes in the building include a new telephone system to replace one that is so antiquated, parts are not available. The projected cost is $66,000 to upgrade the phones. The HVAC system needs $600,000 in upgrades, $18,400 is needed for plumbing improvements and $35,000 is budgeted for the roof. Information technology is projeted to cost $82,970 for a total of $877,370.

The budget calls for a decrease in spending for parks and recreation, and for about one mile of township-owned roads to be paved at a total of $1 million.

Council will have a public hearing on the proposed budget at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3 with adoption at the regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17. Council’s reorganizational meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 7.