Cranberry Expects to Hold the Line on Taxes in 2013

After an increase last year, Cranberry is expecting to hold the line on taxes in 2013.

At a special budget workshop meeting Tuesday, township officials presented a balanced budget with no increase in tax rates, water, sewer or solid waste fees.

There could be minor increases in user fees for recreational programs, according to officials.

Budget revenues are estimated at $17,238, 266, with expenses estimated at the same amount.

Real estate taxes would remain at 13 mils under the plan, including 8.03 mils for the general fund, 1 mil for public buildings, .85 mil for road maintenance equipment, 1 mil for the library and 2.12 mils for the Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company.

Each mill brings in about $363,000 in revenue for the township, according to Cranberry manager Jerry Andree.

Officials are expected to give preliminary approval to the budget at the next Board of Supervisors meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 20 at the Cranberry Township Municipal Center.

Consideration of final approval for the budget will take place at the Dec. 13 Supervisors meeting.

Andree said the budget would be on display to the public for 20 days following the Nov. 20 meeting.

He credited a growth in revenue with allowing the township to balance the budget with no increases in 2013.

“Certainly we’re able to meet our expectations and expenses,” he said.

Last year, officials voted 4-1 to raise real estate taxes by 2.35 mils in order to increase funding for the Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company, Cranberry Public Library and road maintenance. It was the first time the township has raised taxes since 2004, when officials raised property taxes by 1.5 mils.

At the time, officials said restore some services the library lost in 2011 and support the first year in a three-year capital improvement project plan.

Officials at Tuesday’s meeting also highlighted some of the township's biggest accomplishments in 2012, including recruiting 13 new members for the fire company, completing 13 road resurfacing projects, adding three new traffic signals to the area and opening the Scouting Centennial Plaza at Graham Park.

2012 also was a banner year for development in Cranberry. Andree said there was about $145,468,684 worth of new construction this year, the township's highest total since 2008, when Westinghouse began construction of its new headquarters along Route 228.

What do you think of the budget? Are pleased there will be no tax increases this year? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.