Borough council might OK tax hike

Nov. 18--SHARPSVILLE -- Sharpsville residents might see an increase to their real estate taxes and water rates if the borough's proposed 2019 budget is approved.

The budget calls for spending $5,088,268 in 2019, an increase of $563,142 from the 2018 budget's estimated expenditure of $4,525,162.

The real estate tax will be increased by .50 mills in the proposed budget, raising the current tax of 24.67 to 25.71. A mill is one dollar for every $1,000 in assessed property value, based on a property's 1970 assessed market value.

For a owner of a property valued at $18,500, the average assessed value in Sharpsville, a homeowner's real estate tax of $456.40 would be increased by about $5.95.

The tax increase would go toward funding the Sharpsville Volunteer Fire Department, which Sharpsville Borough Manager Ken Robertson said is looking to modernize its equipment, particularly its vehicles. The department's ladder truck was last replaced around 2002 or 2003, while the fire engine was replaced in 1998.

"In the world of increased costs, the fire department is not exempt from that," Robertson said. "Equipment, of course, needs maintained, and insurance costs have gone up as well."

Water rates also will increase with the monthly base rate of $18.30 rising to $18.42. The increased rates were passed along by Aqua Pennsylvania, which provides water service to the borough, Robertson said.

"We have a contract with them that allows the rate to increase yearly," Robertson said. "It's a 20-year agreement, and we're currently in the ninth year."

The borough is expected to receive $502,577 in revenue from the Highway Aid Fund, which comes from the state's gasoline tax. Up to $70,000 will be used to purchase salt, while the funds can also go toward projects such as paying for a new street sweeper and the paving of Mercer Avenue between Shenango Street and Ridge Avenue, where Robertson said the handicapped-accessible sidewalks have already been upgraded to Americans with Disabilities Act standards.

The Mercer Avenue project also will use federal Community Development Block Grant funding, Robertson said.

Another project planned by the borough is milling and paving East State Street from Mercer Avenue to the Kelly Road Bridge. However, because the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's bridge replacement project is expected to begin in late 2019 or early 2020, Robertson said the road project is on hold until after that work is completed.

"We're hoping to get started after the heavy construction equipment is done using the street," he said.

A copy of the proposed budget will be available for review during business hours at the Sharpsville municipal building. Borough council will vote on the proposed budget at its 7 p.m. meeting on Dec. 12, which will be preceded by a workshop meeting at 7 p.m. Dec.10.

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