New Bethel Park Public Works building could cost $10 million
If Bethel Park goes through with a $10 million plan to rebuild the public works building, it will mean higher taxes for property owners.
The municipality will need to borrow money to pay for any significant improvements and it will need to raise taxes by about .2 to .3 mills to cover the payments. Council has not decided whether or not to pursue the project, but it was discussed at the Aug. 24 committee meeting.
“I am blown away by the enormity of that number,” Councilman Mark O’Brien said of the estimated construction cost.
O’Brien and several other council members asked if there was a way to scale down the project to lessen the impact on taxpayers. Municipal officials will ask the engineer, EPM Architecture, to look into the matter, but Council President Tim Moury noted that if Bethel Park makes any improvements to the building, it would require a bond, which would then lead to a tax increase.
“There is no good time to raise taxes,” Moury said. “But whatever project we decide on will require a tax increase.”
The building, which houses road materials, vehicles and equipment, is more than 50 years old and Bethel Park has not made any significant improvements since the 1970s. The building’s roof is sagging and will require repair.
Councilman Jim Hannan said if council does nothing, the municipality may face increasing maintenance costs and increased risk to the millions of dollars of equipment housed in the building. He noted that even the highest projected tax increase would amount to less than $50 a year for the average homeowner.
“This is an investment in our infrastructure,” he said.
O’Brien expressed reluctance to raise taxes on residents who are already facing higher tax and utility bills. Voters approved a .34-mill property tax hike to construct the new fire station and they may see an increase to their sewer bills.
“I agree it is a lot of money, but I don’t see how we can keep pushing it off for another time,” said Councilwoman Lorrie Gibbons.
If council decides to float a bond before the end of the year, it will have to do so by November so that council can approve any necessary tax increase for next year’s budget.
In another matter, council approved the site plan for Cool Springs Assisted Living facility on Baptist Road. Cool Springs, which operates a sports complex at the adjacent property, plans to build a 138-unit apartment building for seniors. Construction should begin in spring 2016 and construction is expected to take about 16 months.