Ross Township proposed 2023 budget has no tax increase

The Ross Township proposed general fund budget for 2023 will have no tax or township sewer rate increases, with a vote for consideration at the town board of commissioners’ Dec. 5 meeting.

The budget is balanced at $41,894,985, approximately more than $1.3 million than the 2022 budget, according to Ross Township finance director Dan Berty.

“The 2023 budget will be the eighth consecutive budget that I have created for Ross Township, and I am proud to say that in those eight years, the township has not increased any tax rates, nor has the township increased its sewer rates. This is a reflection on the strength of the Ross Township community as well as the township’s board of commissioners and employees working together with a focused team mentality,” Berty said.

However, there are several areas of the budget that are reflecting higher expenses this coming year. There have been increases in personnel cost, fuel, salt, and a 7.6 percent increase in capital projects, specifically the road program and bridge replacements.

Public safety is the most expensive department for the municipality, at a proposed $9.7 million. This is a slight increase from the $9.5 million budget in 2022.

Public Safety includes costs of police, fire, emergency management, school crossing guards and law enforcement insurance. Increases in public safety are mostly due to contractual personnel increases in the police department, Berty said. Public Safety appropriations are budgeted to increase by $203,472 or 2.14 percent.

Public Works follows at a proposed approximate $6.08 million. This is an increase from what Ross Township initially budgeted for 2022 at more than $5.9 million. However, the estimated year-end projection is an approximate $6.037 million. The increase in public works is primarily due to increasing personnel cost, fuel and salt, which is offset by a reduction to large storm sewer projects, as noted in the proposed budget.

Other budget highlights include a commitment of $50,000 for trail and $475,000 for park improvements at Quail Park and Bruno Sammartino Park. This includes work on pavilion enclosures, and resurfacing courts at the parks. It will also be used toward creating an athletic field master plan, according to Berty. The athletic field master plan is an outside consultant’s review and recommendations to the township’s baseball field use, he said.

Two bridges located on Nelson Run are budgeted to be replaced in 2023 at a proposed $600,000, money designated from the Capital Fund. Bids on the projects have not been received yet.

“Both were identified by the township’s engineers as needing to be replaced,” Berty said.

The Ross annual road program, budgeted at $1.9 million is funded, in part, by utilizing the prior year’s fund balance. This is an increase of $100,000 or 5.5 percent compared to the current year’s budget.

While the township is keeping its sewer rate the same, residents will be seeing an increase from ALCOSAN, or the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority. The Ross Township sewer rate is a combined rate comprising the Ross Township sewer rate and ALCOSAN sewer rate. ALCOSAN is increasing its rates by 7 percent for 2023, Berty said.

Ross customers will see the ALCOSAN rate increase from $6.82 to $7.30 on the sewer charge per each monthly bill. The township’s portion remains at $1.50 sewer charge per month, according to Berty.

Ross Township manager Ron Borczyk said the township goal is to be fiscally responsible in its services to the community.

“Ross Township has once again maximized the efficiency of available resources to provide a high level of service to their taxpayers,” Borczyk said.

The budget can be viewed online at www.ross.pa.us.