Mt. Lebanon budget plan has tax hike
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Mt. Lebanon property owners could see a 0.245-mill increase in the real estate tax rate next year if the recommended $42.3 million municipal budget is approved and property reassessments are finalized, municipal manager Stephen Feller said.
A 0.245-mill increase in real estate tax would mean an increase of $24.50 per year in the tax bill for a home valued at $100,000. For a $200,000 home, the increase would be $49 per year.
In recent years, Mt. Lebanon's millage rate has been reduced from 4.97 in 2008 to 4.76 this year. In 2010, it was 4.89.
The budget is based on property reassessments being conducted by Allegheny County and the expected increase in property taxes collected that would result. But if property reassessments are not finalized and the 0.245-mill increase is not approved, the budget would be out of balance by $1.46 million.
To fill that gap, the municipality may have to either cut services or increase the millage rate further. Services that possibly could be cut include items such as Sunday library hours and community events for holidays, as well as dipping into funding for the Mt. Lebanon Teen Center and planned replacement of a public works truck.
To avoid cutting services, the municipality could increase the millage rate by up to 0.71 to fill the anticipated gap. That would increase the property tax bill by $71 for a $100,000 home and $142 for a $200,000 home.
Mr. Feller said it's been difficult planning the budget here and elsewhere in the region.
"It's not just for Mt. Lebanon but all communities have the uncertainty associated with the timing of assessment," he said.
The recommended operating budget, which funds basic services provided by the government, is $28.9 million -- almost $1 million more than proposed last year. The bulk of the additional money would be spent on public works and public safety services.
First Published November 3, 2011 4:46 am
