Butler Township keeps same tax rate for 12th year
BUTLER TWP — Commissioners approved the 2023 township budget at a meeting Monday; which increases expected costs compared to 2022, but does not include a tax increase for the coming year, for the 12th year in a row.
Township commissioners voted unanimously to approve the $9.4 million budget for 2023 — a $1.4 million increase from last year’s budget — with the largest expenditures being winter maintenance, roads and equipment.
The township’s millage rate will remain at 11.25. The value of one mill in the township is $163,274.
Dave Zarnick, Butler Township Commission President, said the budget always includes expenses residents may not expect, but administrators pay attention year-round to plan for the next year’s budget.
“We don’t wait until the last minute; we are watching our budget monthly,” Zarnick said. “Our costs have gone up just like yours have in your home and utilities. Protection, roads, salt — people may not know that we have to pay for street lights, we have to pay for fire hydrants.”
The budget report written by township manager Tom Knights and director of finance Cheryl McNeill said the budget continues to accommodate residual effects of supply chain issues, inflation and workforce challenges that stem from the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.
Some of the largest expenses expected for the coming year, not including labor, are storm water, road and traffic signal maintenance, which will cost about $930,000; health care premiums at a cost of about $877,000; required pension plan contributions at a cost of about $807,000 and employee insurance costs at a cost of about $343,000.
Commissioners also set the board’s meeting schedule for 2023, which will remain the same as the meeting schedule in 2022, with commissioners meetings taking place at 6:30 p.m. the first and third Monday of each month.
