Ross Township proposed 2024 budget calls for tax hike

Ross Township commissioners presented a proposed 2024 budget that includes a real estate tax increase.

The budget, as presented Nov. 20, includes more than $27.4 million in expenditures and a matching amount in revenues. Both categories sit at about a 10.4% increase from 2023.

The increase from the 2023 budgeted amount is primarily due to an increase in the township’s non-tax revenue, especially the previously budgeted federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds in 2023.

The proposed budget calls for the township’s real estate tax rate to increase from 2.7 mills to 2.95, with residents owning property with an assessed value of $134,200 — the median for Ross, according to Allegheny County — paying the township an average of $395.89 on their tax bills.

Notable expenditures include $20,000 committed to trail projects and $230,000 toward improvement projects at Amity Park, pavilion enclosures, court resurfacing and creating a master plan for athletic fields. John Herb Field has been budgeted to have the infield turfed in an effort to increase playability for different ages.

A total of $545,406 has been dedicated to maintenance and programming at Northland Public Library.

The annual road program is budgeted at $2 million, by utilizing the prior year’s fund balance. Nelson Run bridge is scheduled to be replaced in 2024. The township will use a $200,000 grant to offset the cost of the project.

Additionally, $272,500 will be dedicated to police equipment and improvements, while $180,500 is budgeted for public works equipment.

The township and Allegheny County Sanitary Authority are scheduled for a sewage treatment rate increase at 7% each, or 14% total for 2024.

The budget is available on the Ross Township website and will be voted on at the next commissioners business meeting, Dec. 4.