Local taxes expected to remain steady in Bethel Park
Bethel Park Council is set to pass a budget for next year that will keep property taxes steady for the third consecutive year.
The 2018 preliminary general fund budget stands at $25.8 million. Council held a budget hearing during its Oct. 23 committee meeting, but no residents attended. Council will consider approving the budget at its regular meeting Nov. 13.
General fund spending is slated to increase by about 5 percent next year. The police department is the largest source of expenditures, at about $8.2 million. The sanitation department is slated to spend $2.2 million and $1 million will be set aside for snow and ice removal. The municipality will transfer $4 million to the capital reserve fund next year, which will be used on the ongoing project to build a new public works building as well as improve the parks.
In addition to approving the general fund budget, council will approve budgets for the various funds, such as for sewage, $13.5 million; capital improvements, $6.9 million; Liquid Fuels, $841,000 and the fire department, $1.3 million.
Bethel Park receives more than half of its revenue through earned income tax. The rate is 1.4 percent, with the municipality receiving 0.9 percent and the school district gets a half a percent. Real estate taxes make up a bit more than a quarter of all revenue and the rest of the municipality’s money comes through permits, fees, grants and other sources.