While Franklin Park's preliminary 2010 budget includes no property tax increase, it does include, for the first time, a $52 local services tax.

The tax that will be levied against people who work in the borough, manager Ambrose Rocca said. It is expected to bring in about $67,600 and will help offset decreasing revenues.

People who earn less than $12,000 a year are exempt, he added.

The borough's $6.8 million proposed budget keeps the property tax rate at 1.283 mills, the second lowest in Allegheny County. Franklin Park has raised only taxes once in the past 47 years.

Implementing the local services tax is a necessary step that will help the borough financially and avoid layoffs, Martha Creese, board president said.

"None of us wants to institute a new tax," she said at last night's council meeting. "We did the best we could under the circumstances."

Voting in favor of the tax were Ms. Creese and council members Jane Hopey, Amy Sable and Dick Hartman. Councilman Ash Marwah was absent. Councilman Andrew Hrishenko voted against the tax.

Council has until the end of December to approve a final budget.

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