Blawnox real estate taxes to hold, other bills to increase

Blawnox property owners should not expect to pay more in real estate taxes next year.

However, their water, sewage and garbage collection bills will increase slightly.

Council voted 5-0 Nov. 8 to advertise its preliminary 2024 budget of about $1.557 million. Councilwomen Meghan Kennedy and Christine Carnevali were absent.

The real estate tax rate is to remain at 10.85 mills. Council raised taxes by 1 mill this year for the 2023 budget.

Expected income includes $805,000 in real estate taxes; $314,650 in Act 511 taxes, including earned income and mechanical device taxes; $31,950 in intergovernmental funds, $27,100 in license fees and permits, $26,300 in charges for services and $13,750 in fines.

Expected expenses include $465,859 for police; $295,272 for public works; $124,061 for executive and general government, including administrative salaries, advertising and office supplies; $46,500, for fire service; $21,414 for tax collection; $18,580 for planning, zoning and code enforcement, $15,000 for legal services and $9,000 for engineering services.

Borough Manager Kathy Ulanowicz there are no paving or park projects in the budget. Those funds are paying for water and sewerage upgrades.

“We are trying to continue to provide the services we provide at this point,” Ulanowicz said. “We are doing projects to fix our water system where we have grant matches and engineering that we have to do.”

The borough budgeted almost $27,360 as a match for a Pennsylvania Small Water and Sewer grant for an estimated $156,000 project.

Ulanowicz said that project involves replacing altitude valves at the water system’s interconnect station near the Blawnox-O’Hara border.

The borough also budgeted $16,812 as a match to obtain a federal Community Development Block Grant for an estimated $88,000 to replace water valves throughout the borough. This CDBG grant is administered by the state.

Ulanowicz said the water valve replacement is an investment in infrastructure.

Councilwoman Elaine Palmer commended Ulanowicz and her staff for crafting a budget that addresses borough needs without raising taxes.

“She’s incredible,” Palmer said. “They think things through. We work through anything that’s not good.”

The final budget is slated for adoption Dec. 13.

Meghan Kennedy, councilwoman and finance committee chair, did not respond to several emails seeking comment.

Other bills going up

Garbage bills are set to go from $65 per quarter to $77 per quarter as part of a new contract with Waste Management.

Curbside recycling will not longer be available. However, hazardous waste recycling will done by appointment.

Water rates are going from $11.21 per 1,000 gallons to $11.99 per 1,000 gallons, with a minimum of 3,000 gallons per quarter.

Ulanowicz said this is an anticipated increase to Fox Chapel Authority’s 2024 rates.

Quarterly sewage bill charges are going up from $21.88 to $23.44.

Ulanowicz said Alcosan bills the borough, and Blawnox is passing on its increased quarterly charges to its customers.

Sewage rates are expected to remain $12.94 per 1,000 gallons.

Public safety spending

The borough has budgeted for another full-time police officer. If hired, the department would have five full-time officers, including the chief.

Ulanowicz said the borough is seeking a state Local Shares Assessment grant to buy a new police car. The purchase is estimated at $75,600.

The grant application is due by the end of November.

The new car purchase is contingent upon receiving the grant.