Nov 15, 2025 By Paul Paterra 2 min read

Taxes should remain steady in Donora next year.

Council approved advertising a $2,711,000 budget for 2026 that keeps the tax rate at 9 mills. The millage breakdown is a general tax rate of 8.625 mills, fire tax of 0.125 mills, recreation tax of 0.219 mills and library tax of 0.031 mills.

The spending plan will be available for public review at the borough’s municipal office through Nov. 24.

Casey Perrotta, council vice president, said there were a number of factors that went into holding the line on taxes.

“We were able to realign some different finances in different locations,” said Perrotta, a member of the finance committee.

One of those factors was to reapportion $240,000 that was in the 2025 budget for road paving.

Perrotta also said the 2026 budget includes money for a full-time code enforcement officer.

Council also approved a motion that will keep the sanitation rates the same for 2026. The fee is $200, if paid by March 31; $250, if paid by June 30, and a penalty rate of $300, if paid after July 1.

Another motion approved by council was a four-year collective bargaining agreement with the police department that takes effect Jan. 1 and runs through Dec. 31, 2029.

Council President Cindy Brice said the budget allows for the hire of two new police officers for a force that currently has four officers. Of those, Chief Neil Rands is retiring. He will be joining council in January.

“We have the money,” said Brice, who is leaving council at the end of the year. “But it’s going to be a contention to try to keep people employed here. We gave a test and two people applied. It’s just so slim.”

Brice said the contract includes a small wage increase.