In 2006, North Huntingdon Township raised property taxes from 8.23 to 10.23 mills—the last time a tax increase was enacted. Since then, the rate has been reduced to 9.23 mills. At that time, our annual budget was $9 million. Today, it stands at $16.1 million.
This growth hasn’t happened without reason. It reflects the rising costs of delivering essential services—like police, road maintenance, stormwater management, and community programs. It also accounts for increases in employee wages and benefits, inflation, insurance, and the need to invest in aging infrastructure.
As we look ahead, it’s important to understand that maintaining the quality of life we all value in North Huntingdon requires thoughtful planning and sustainable funding.
As the budget currently stands, North Huntingdon Township will require an additional $584,348 in revenue to maintain existing operations and services.
This projection does not include any surplus revenue from the prior fiscal year, nor does it account for potential transfers from the reserve fund, which currently holds a balance of $4.7 million. We will need to rely on any prior year surplus and/or utilize money from the reserve fund to balance the budget.
Additionally, this budget does not incorporate any major capital projects outlined in Mr. Robinson’s Major Projects memo, which could significantly impact future financial planning.
Over the years, we've seen a steady increase in stormwater-related complaints from residents. In 2025, we prioritized improvements along the Route 993 corridor, focusing on Frog Road, Scotch Hill Road, and Pine Hollow Road.
Most recently, we received the results of a study from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding the persistent flooding issues on McKee Road. The proposed solution includes significant engineering and infrastructure upgrades, with an estimated cost of $900,000.
Addressing these challenges is critical—not only for public safety but also for protecting property and ensuring long-term resilience in our infrastructure.
Mr. Robinson’s memo also addresses the unfunded MS4 mandate with stormwater detention pongs and streambank stabilization projects at an estimated $800,000.
I propose two options for the Board of Commissioners to consider to sustainable funding and improve the quality of life for our community:
Option 1:
We are proposing a 3-mill increase to the real estate tax rate, raising it from 9.23 to 12.23 mills, while also eliminating the Per Capita Tax.
Each mill generates approximately $400,000, so this adjustment would result in a net increase of $1.1 million in annual revenue for the Township.
This additional funding would provide the financial stability needed to repair, maintain, and invest in our community—not just for today, but for generations to come. It’s a long-term commitment to the safety, functionality, and quality of life in our community.
To help property owners understand the impact of a proposed 3-mill tax increase, here’s a simple breakdown:
Formula:
Tax Increase = (New Millage – Old Millage) × Assessed Property Value ÷ 1,000
Example Scenario:
- Current Millage Rate: 9.23 mills
- Proposed Millage Rate: 12.23 mills
- Increase: 3.00 mills
Estimated Tax Increase by Assessed Property Value:
Assessed Property Value | Annual Tax Increase |
$50,000 | $150.00 |
$100,000 | $300.00 |
$150,000 | $450.00 |
$200,000 | $600.00 |
Option 2:
To support essential services and infrastructure improvements, we are proposing a multi-part revenue strategy:
- Increase the real estate tax rate by 1 mill, raising it from 9.23 to 10.23 mills.
- Eliminate the Per Capita Tax, simplifying the tax structure for residents.
- Introduce a Stormwater Maintenance Fee of $7.00 per month or $84.00 per year per household. Businesses with impervious surfaces would also be billed accordingly.
The net impact on the General Fund would be an increase of approximately $310,000. Additionally, the Stormwater Maintenance Fee is projected to generate $1.8 million annually, which would be dedicated to a new Stormwater Management Fund.
This fund would allow us to shift stormwater-related expenses—such as materials and supplies—out of the General Fund, freeing up resources for other priorities. More importantly, it would provide the financial foundation needed to tackle critical flooding and infrastructure projects that directly affect our community’s safety and quality of life.
To help property owners understand the impact of a proposed 1-mill tax increase, here’s a simple breakdown:
Example Scenario:
- Current Millage Rate: 9.23 mills
- Proposed Millage Rate: 10.23 mills
- Increase: 1.00 mills
Estimated Tax Increase by Assessed Property Value:
Assessed Property Value | Annual Tax Increase |
$50,000 | $50.00 |
$100,000 | $100.00 |
$150,000 | $150.00 |
$200,000 | $200.00 |
Summary of 3 mill Tax Increase and Eliminating Per Capita Tax for residential properties:
Assessed Value | 3 mill Increase | Per Capita Reduction | Total Increase |
$50,000 | $150.00 | $10.00 | $140.00 |
$100,000 | $300.00 | $10.00 | $290.00 |
$150,000 | $450.00 | $10.00 | $440.00 |
$200,000 | $600.00 | $10.00 | $590.00 |
Summary of 1 mill Tax Increase, Implementation of Stormwater Fee and Elimination of Per Capita Tax for residential properties:
Assessed Value | 1 mill Increase | Stormwater Fee | Per Capita Reduction | Total Increase |
$50,000 | $50.00 | $84.00 | $10.00 | $124.00 |
$100,000 | $100.00 | $84.00 | $10.00 | $174.00 |
$150,000 | $150.00 | $84.00 | $10.00 | $224.00 |
$200,000 | $200.00 | $84.00 | $10.00 | $274.00 |