Nov 20, 2013 3 min read

McMURRAY – Real estate taxes in Peters Township will remain at the current 13 mills in 2014, with the proposed budget about the same as last year’s at $18,634,237. Each mill generates $331,871.

The year-end balance also is about the same as in 2013, with the township expecting to have a balance in 2014 of $8,506,577.

One revenue source that keeps Peters Township in a healthy financial position is the earned-income tax. In 2014, Michael Silvestri, township manager, estimates the tax will produce $5,752,485, or 35 percent of the anticipated total revenue. The average household income is predicted to be $145,045. In 2013, the average household income was estimated at $131,953 but was actually $142,839.

Surprisingly, earned-income taxes bring in a higher amount than real estate taxes at $4,315,000, or 26 percent of the revenue side of the budget.

Included on the revenue side is $250,000 generated through the gas-drilling impact fee

As for expenditures, Silvestri budgeted $5,659,369, or 30 percent of the budget, for public works, including the purchase of five new vehicles for $423,000, storm sewer repairs at $240,000 and increasing the road-paving program to $1,472,000. In the public safety budget, Silvestri said there will be two new police vehicles at a cost of $75,000, and replacement of a fire engine at a cost of $440,000.

No major projects are planned for the parks and recreation department, with the highest expenditure listed at $75,000 for new playground equipment. Paul Lauer, assistant township manager, said the emphasis in 2014 will be on maintenance.

Silvestri said the overall property assessment rose $4 million from 2012, but he feels the amount should be higher. There were 100 new homes built in 2013, with nine demolition permits issued.

On the commercial side, open, but not on the tax rolls yet, is the new St. Clair Hospital outpatient facility. The GetGo Express should be included on the tax roll and generating new revenue by the end of 2014. The business should be open the first week of December.

The proposed budget lists a new part-time employee in reception to ensure the front area at the township building is staffed at all times during regular working hours. An assistant engineer is expected to be hired, reducing the amount needed for contracted work. There are plans to hire an additional employee in the planning department to help implement the comprehensive plan. If the current director of information technology retires at the end of 2014, council will examine whether to contract the services out or hire a new director.

When discussing the proposed budget, Silvestri said, “We’re in pretty good financial shape.”

Copies of the tentative budget are available on the township website, or at the municipal building and the library.

Council will hold a hearing for public comments at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2. The budget will be formally adopted during a meeting at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16, with both meetings in council chambers in the municipal building.