No tax increase is anticipated in Springdale Township’s 2023 budget despite an increase in expenditures.

The roughly $1.2 million proposed budget, with taxes to remain at 6.5 mills, marks a 30.4% increase over the 2020 budget, which came in at $907,000. But that increase might seem misleading, as a large chunk of it is attributed to a water project that is expected to pay for itself in the long run.

“That is for us to install a new water meter and reading system, which most municipalities have already gone to,” said Tim Basilone, vice president of the commissioners. “That’s an electronic system that allows us to read meters instantaneously.”

The project has an estimated price tag of $350,000, Basilone said. But it would solve issues with the current, aging water meters that underestimate the water usage of residents.

“We’re losing revenue because we’re charging them less than what they’re actually getting,” he said.

The new program essentially will pay for itself, Basilone said, adding the township also will seek grants for additional funds.

In addition, another $250,000 in expenditures comes from a paving and road repair program the township previously did not have.

Those new expenditures also come with a loss of revenue of $82,000 from a lack of pandemic aid received for the current year’s budget, Basilone said.

In the proposed budget that is available online, some of the big-ticket items include $506,000 for the public works department, a 55.1% increase over the current year’s budget.

The proposed budget also includes $237,000 for the police department, a 19.8% increase.

The commissioners are slated to vote on a final budget at 6 p.m. Dec. 22 in the township building, 100 Plate Drive.

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)