2023 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 such as the Plan Peters 2022 and the Comprehensive Recreation , Parks , and Open Space Plan . It draws from the input of standing advisory boards , Township staff , and residents . Most importantly , it contains the insights and contributions of Peters Township Council , which are expressed not only at budget workshops but throughout the year .
REVENUES The ability of the municipal government to achieve its goals is determined by its capacity to raise funds .
In 2023 , it is estimated that 67 % of Peters Township ’ s total revenues of $ 23,263,143 will be derived from taxes . The Township anticipates collecting $ 15,476,450 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 2023 , Earned Income Tax will account for $ 7,468,500 or 48 % 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 2022 , Washington County certified the aggregated assessed value of all properties in Peters Township to be $ 3,361,156,470 , $ 65.4 million higher than the 2022 assessed value . The budgeted receipt from Real Estate Tax assumes a property tax millage of 1.7 mills , a same millage rate as 2022 . This is anticipated to generate $ 5,675,000 or 37 % 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 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 2023 are $ 27,564,832 . It should be noted that the large gap between revenues and potential expenses in 2023 will be made up with cash balances derived from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 .
In 2023 , expenses associated with Protection to Persons and Property account for $ 7,213,419 or 26 % 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 . In 2023 , the Township will employ three additional School Resource Officers and take delivery of a new fire engine .
Public Works expenses in 2023 are estimated to be $ 9,503,816 or 34 % of total expenses . A significant portion of this amount is associated with capital improvements resurfacing of roadways and the rehabilitation of storm sewers . The 2023 Budget also includes two major one-time capital improvements : the reconstruction of Longvue Drive and a storm sewer rehabilitation project along Marlboro Drive .
Programs included under the category of Culture and Recreation , are the Peters Township Library , Parks & Recreation , and Peters Township Community Television . In 2023 , expenses for Culture and Recreation are estimated to be $ 3,148,398 or 11 % of the expenses . This is a significant decrease from the budgeted amount in this category from the previous two years , primarily due to the completion of construction of Rolling Hills Park .
The 2023 Budget contains a potentially transformational capital improvement plan . Expenditures for capital projects accounts total $ 5,523,907 and account for 20 % of all expenditures . This is , in many ways , a return to a normal year of capital projects for the Township , as the past years have been dominated by construction at Rolling Hills Park and Fire Station # 3 . Beyond the projects on Longvue and Marlboro Drives , renovations at Public Works Complex , resurfacing of the parking lot at Rees Park , repainting of the Recreation Center gymnasium , and installation of new thermoplastic markings at various signalized intersections along Route 19 will be the most visible capital projects in 2023 . eters Township PETERS TOWNSHIP NEWS www . peterstownship . com 724.941.4180
PETERS TOWNSHIP | FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023 11