No tax hike in Donora’s budget

The millage rate will hold steady after a large increase a year ago.

Donora council voted Thursday to advertise its preliminary budget for 2026, which keeps taxes at their current level.

It will be available for public review in the municipal office from today through Nov. 24.

DeAnne Pavelko, council’s finance chairperson, said they were happy to have no tax increase this year.

“It’s a good thing for the residents,” Pavelko said. “We’ll have to evaluate each year as they come. But this year, we were able to keep it safe.”

The tax millage will remain at 9 mills, which breaks down to a general tax rate of 8.625 mills, a fire tax of 0.125 mills, a recreation tax of 0.219 mills, and a library tax of 0.031 mills.

This year’s budget raised the millage rate from 6.887 to 9. Some council members last year said the increase was much overdue for the borough.

The 2026 preliminary budget is balanced at $2,711,000 for revenues and expenditures. A good portion of the borough’s revenue comes from real estate taxes and things such as sanitation fees.

Some of the largest expenditures involve salaries and benefits for employees, maintenance of roads and other borough facilities and the police department. The largest line item is for police, who will receive $576,200.

The second-largest expenditure is street maintenance at $546,855.

Council has been trying to hire a full-time code enforcement officer, and council Vice President Casey Perrotta said money for that position is included in the preliminary budget.

Perrotta added that they plan to include health benefits for the code enforcement position.

In other business:

• Council unanimously approved to keep sanitation rates for 2026 at the current level. The cost is $200 if paid by March 31 and $250 if paid by the end of June. The penalty rate for anything paid after July 1 is $300.

• Twinkle Bright Nite will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 28 at Sixth and McKean Avenue.

• Council President Cynthia Brice reminded residents to participate in a spaghetti dinner for David Wachinski, a Donora resident who was hit by a car in Boston. The dinner will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. Dec. 20 at St. Spyridon in Monessen.

• Police reminded residents to lock their vehicles at night due to a suspect who is breaking into cars with unlocked doors.