By Taylor Brown
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During a special meeting Thursday, Charleroi Council unanimously approved a 2019 budget that will require a small tax increase.
It is the first time in at least 20 years borough property owners will see a hike in their tax bills.
The $2.2 million budget will require a .92-mill tax increase, bringing the millage from 5.33 to 6.25. The budget was unanimously approved.
The increase will generate approximately an additional $100,000 in revenue for the borough and make up for annual deficits the borough has faced following the recent Washington County tax reassessment.
Extra tax revenue will be used to purchase street equipment, pave and repair high-priority roads and cover a 4.5 percent increase in the borough’s contribution to the Charleroi Regional Police budget, which is about $39,000 more than last year.
North Charleroi, Speers and Twilight also saw increases to regional police contributions this year.
About $15,000 generated from the millage increase will help offset the cost of the police force contribution.
The .92 mill increase still does not push Charleroi to the limit of the Washington County tax reassessment index.
Under the tax hike, a borough property owner with a home value of $47,000 will pay about $50 more each year.
“This is a very small number,” Vice President Jeannine Motycki said. “This is nothing huge.”
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