(12/26) Carroll Valley, Fairfield, Hamiltonban Township, and Liberty Township once again ended their years with budgets that avoided a tax increase.
Carroll Valley Borough Council unanimously approved a budget at its December meeting that includes $2,377,128 in expenditures, about $35,000 less than last year. The borough has not raised taxes since 2012, Manager Dave Hazlett said. The borough tax rate is 1.5 mills on real estate, plus a 0.25 fire tax.
"To avoid raising tax rates, tough decisions must continue to be made to fulfill our obligation to the Borough’s 4,000+ residents," Hazlett wrote in his budget address. "Many of the decisions that lie ahead may not always be popular, but they may be necessary to secure a solid fiscal foundation for the Borough of Carroll Valley in the 21st century."
Hazlett noted the borough will continue to fix roads using the chip seal in lieu of asphalt, despite complaints from residents. He defended the move by noting asphalt costs 10 times the price of chip seal.
The Fairfield Borough Council approved the 2023 budget with the millage rate established at 1.532 on real estate, plus a 0.25 mill fire tax. The borough will continue to receive police protection from Carroll Valley. The inter-municipal agreement’s costs will increase 4 percent in 2023 and 4 percent each year following.
Liberty Township Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a budget with 0.816 mills tax on real estate, plus a 0.25 mill fire tax. Supervisor Walter "Mickey" Barlow noted the most significant differences in this year’s budget compared to last year are eliminating supervisor’s mileage payment due to them using township-owned vehicles, the police budget increasing from $120,840 to $124,864, and reducing money spent on road signs and employee uniforms by half.
Barlow said the township budgeted $295,000 for road repairs. The board of supervisors will determine this spring which roads will be fixed. Bullfrog Road is in need of repairs, Barlow said, at an estimated cost of $280,000.
"I do not want to go over the budget on this at all this year, I would rather fall under," Barlow said.
The township maintains about six months' worth of operating expenses in reserves.
The Hamiltonban Township supervisors approved their 2023 budget with expenses totaling $1,206,855 and revenue at $843,605. The township will transfer $363,250 from other accounts to fund the deficit.
