Taxes to rise in proposed Rostraver Township budget

The tentative spending plan includes a 3-mill increase, but that number could change before a final vote is taken.

Rostraver Township’s 2026 budget plan includes a 3-mill tax increase, but some commissioners said after Monday’s meeting that talks are still ongoing.

Board President Jeffrey Johnson confirmed the tax increase in the proposed budget, which was introduced during a special meeting Nov. 24.

The current millage rate is 18 mills — plus an additional 3 mills for fire protection — which rises to 21 mills in the proposed spending plan for 2026.

On average, property owners will see about a $65 a year increase in their tax bills.

Johnson said the weekend snowstorm has led to some rearrangements, especially involving the road department and salt costs.

“This last snowfall hit us with some salt usage that we’ve got to factor in,” Johnson said. “So we’ve got a couple of days to make any adjustments that we could.

“It’s a tough year; health insurance went up significantly across the whole state. So we’re battling ways to get everything in there.”

When initially asked if there was a possibility of a tax increase after their Monday meeting, Johnson said “we’re close” and that there was a possibility of it for the final budget.

When asked about a specific number, Johnson said they wouldn’t have a final answer until next Monday, which is when they expect to vote on the final budget at a 5 p.m. meeting.

Johnson said that during the special meeting, motions to introduce and advertise the proposed 2026 budget were approved by the board.

The budget is available for viewing until Dec. 22 at the Rostraver Municipal Building, located at 201 Municipal Drive during normal business hours, which are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday.

In other business:

• Commissioners approved an application from Collinsburg Volunteer Fire Company for $67,000 in financial assistance from the Rostraver Township Fire Tax Fund.

• They also approved a partial payment to Redstone Excavating in the amount of $450,553.07 from the State Fund for the Superpave Asphalt Project.

• A motion to advertise for a municipal sidewalk project was approved.