2022 PETERS TOWNSHIP BUDGET
Each year , Council and the Township staff invest considerable time and effort in developing a budget that prudently allocates limited financial resources in a manner designed to best meet the needs and desires of the community . The budget process is defined and guided by the Peters Township Home Rule Charter , and is a reflection of long-term planning initiatives while also drawing from input from standing advisory boards , Township staff , Council , and residents . Most years , municipal budgeting is an incremental process that only reflects modest changes to municipal services . Occasionally , the process of budgeting results in a municipal budget that is potentially transformative . The 2022 Peters Township Budget may be just such a budget .
REVENUES The ability of the municipal government to achieve its goals is determined by its capacity to raise funds .
In 2022 , it is estimated that 65 % of Peters Township ’ s total revenues of $ 22,181,210 will be derived from taxes . The Township anticipates collecting $ 14,319,157 in taxes . Of the taxes levied , Earned Income Tax and the Real Estate Tax are the most significant . The Earned Income Tax is a one-half percent (. 5 %) tax levied against the wages earned by Township residents . In 2022 , Earned Income Tax will account for $ 6,646,375 or 46 % of the taxes levied for general government functions .
The Real Estate Tax is a tax levied against the assessed valuation of real estate property located in the Township . The responsibility for establishing the assessed value of properties rests with Washington County . In November 2021 , Washington County certified the aggregated assessed value of all properties in Peters Township to be $ 3,295,729,400 , $ 62.6 million higher than the 2021 assessed value . The budgeted receipt from Real Estate Tax assumes a property tax millage of 1.7 mills , a slight increase from the 2021 rates of 1.622 mills . This is anticipated to generate $ 5,520,107 or 39 % of taxes levied for general government functions . A home at the Township ’ s median housing value , around $ 300,000 , would pay $ 510 annually in Real Estate Tax .
PROGRAM EXPENSES
Within the chart of accounts promulgated by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development , municipalities are encouraged to group program expenses into one ( 1 ) of four ( 4 ) categories . These program categories are
Peters Township 2022 Expenditures by Program - All Funds
Public Safety , $ 10,617,760 , 27 %
Public Works , $ 8,128,769 , 20 %
Debt Service , $ 2,049,957 , 5 %
Misc ., $ 4,000 , 0 %
Library , $ 1,176,173 , 3 %
Insurance , $ 3,124,200 , 8 %
Cable TV , $ 161,569 , 1 %
Parks / Rec ., $ 12,068,999 , 30 %
General Gov ' t , $ 2,543,216 , 6 %
General Government , Protection to Person and Property , Public Works , and Culture & Recreation . In addition to these four ( 4 ) program areas , the budget includes expenses related to debt service and insurance and employee benefits . Total budgeted expenses for 2022 are $ 39,801,768 . It should be noted that the large gap between revenues and potential expenses in 2022 will
Earned Income Tax , $ 6,646,375 , 30 %
Other Taxes , $ 402,675 , 2 %
Other , $ 282,100 , 1 %
Peters Township 2022 Revenue by Source - All Funds
Transfer Tax , $ 1,750,000 , 8 %
Interest , $ 21,970 , 0 % Grants ,
$ 3,435,152 , 16 %
Real Estate Tax , $ 5,520,107 , 25 %
Fines , $ 46,500 , 0 %
Fees , $ 3,368,350 , 15 %
Licenses / Permits , $ 689,000 , 3 % be filled by a potential bond issue in mid-2022 . In 2022 , expenses associated with Protection to Persons and Property account for $ 10,639,290 or 27 % of all expenses . Programs contained in the Public Safety category include Police Services , Fire Services , Emergency Medical Services , Animal Control , Planning , Zoning / Code Enforcement , and Building Inspection . A large portion of this expense is the proposed construction of Fire Station # 3 .
Public Works expenses in 2022 are estimated to be $ 8,128,769 or 20 % of total expenses . A significant portion of this amount is associated with capital improvements resurfacing of roadways and the rehabilitation of storm sewers . The 2022 Budget includes an appropriation to increase the Public Works Department by one full-time staff position and two part-time staff positions .
Programs included under the category of Culture and Recreation , are the Peters Township Library , Parks & Recreation , and Peters Township Community Television . In 2022 , expenses for Culture and Recreation are estimated to be $ 13,406,741 or 33 % of the expenses . A large portion of the proposed expenses in this program are the costs associated with the construction of the Rolling Hills Park Aquatics Facility .
The 2022 Budget contains a potentially transformational capital improvement plan . Expenditures for capital projects accounts total $ 19,368,500 and account for 48 % of all expenditures . The aforementioned projects to construct Fire Station # 3 and the Rolling Hills Park Aquatic Facility , represent potentially a total value of $ 15 million and would dramatically expand both fire protection and recreational services to Township residents . Beyond those projects , replacement of a Fire Department pumper apparatus , renovations to the front pad of the Community Recreation Center , replacement of the carpet at the Library , and purchase of a new brine dispensing system for the Public Works Department represent some of the more visible capital projects in 2022 .
eters Township PETERS TOWNSHIP NEWS www . peterstownship . com 724.941.4180
PETERS TOWNSHIP ❘ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022 11