Rostraver officials propose balanced budget with no tax increase for 2019
The projected 2019 general fund budget proposed by township commissioners in Rostraver Township is not expected to include a tax increase.
During a special meeting Thursday, the board of commissioners heard a first reading of the proposed budget, which lists revenues and expenditures at $7,462,995 each. Residents will continue to pay property taxes at a rate of 15 mills, or $1.50 on every $100 of assessed value.
Solicitor Timothy Maatta said the commissioners will vote on the proposed budget when they meet Dec. 5. Afterward, the budget will be available for public review for 20 days before the board votes on the final budget later in December. Residents of Rostraver Township haven’t seen a tax increase since 2003.
The commissioners also passed a resolution establishing garbage fees for residential customers in 2019. Regular residential customers will be paying $130, and senior residents will pay $110 for garbage pickup this coming year. Regular residents who don’t pay their bills by March 31 will be assessed a $150 late fee, while senior residents will be subject to a $120 late fee. Late fees will increase to $175 and $130, respectively, if bills are unpaid after July 30.
The commissioners recently signed a new three-year contract with Big’s Sanitation Services that will cost the township $611,912 each year through December 2021.
The commissioners also approved final payment for work completed on the Superpave Asphalt Project to Morgan Excavating L.P. in the amount of $211,859 from the Liquid Fuels Fund.
Township resident Martin Griffith also spoke to the board and continued to voice his concerns about an amended ordinance that sets a baseline for background noise levels.