Township Adopts New Budget With Lower Real Estate Tax Rate

The township was forced to lower the real estate tax rate due to the new Allegheny County assessments. UPPER ST. CLAIR, PA -- Upper St. Clair commissioners approved a new budget for 2013 that "holds the line" on taxes. The budget lowers the real estate tax rate from 4.6 percent to 3.9 percent due to the Allegheny County's new property assessments. There is a Pennsylvania law in place that requires millage rates to be adjusted so that the township does not reap a windfall from the new values. According to the most current information, the township's assessed value will rise by an estimated 18 percent in 2013. Therefore, if your property assessment went up more than 18 percent, your township taxes will likely increase in 2013. If your reassessment went down or remained the same, your taxes will likely decrease. Real estate tax bills will be mailed to taxpayers on May 1, 2013. The income tax rate will remain at .8 percent, the sanitary sewer multiplier will remain at 2.19 and the local services tax will remain $52/year. Commissioners unanimously approved the budget Monday night, however, Commissioner Glenn Dandoy said he did "reluctantly." He said he thought the budget for the library department was too expensive. Director of Finance August Stache told commissioners he expected the final budget would be posted on the township website by the end of the year.