Politics & Government
Oakmont Taxes Set to Remain Steady, But Sewer and Garbage Rates Might Increase
Residents won't see a jump in their tax bill, but they'll see a rise in what they pay for some services.
Oakmont residents probably won't see a real estate tax hike in 2012, but their sewer and garbage bills will likely go up.
The borough’s 2012 preliminary budget anticipates approximately $3.7 million in expenses. Revenues, including an $81,000 surplus from the previous year, also are anticipated to be about $3.7 million.
The borough's property tax rate would remain 4.5 mills, meaning a resident would pay $450 for every $100,000 of assesed property value.
Find out what's happening in Plum-Oakmontfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Officials had trimmed about $10,000 from the police department’s previous allotment in an earlier version of the proposed budget.
Councilman Timothy Milberger noted that the ongoing Allegheny County property value reassessments could impact the budget.
Council President Timothy Favo agreed.
“'It puts the whole system into overdrive’ is probably the easiest way to say it,” Favo said.
Find out what's happening in Plum-Oakmontfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The quarterly charge to residents for sewage is set to increase 31 cents—from $6.98 per 1,000 gallons to $7.29 per 1,000 gallons. Garbage will increase $2.70 each quarter—from $45 to $47.70 per quarter.
Borough manager Bruce Jamison said the increase in cost for garbage collection is a result of increases included in Allied Waste's five-year contract with Oakmont.
"Last year, a three-percent incremental increase should have taken place but didn't, so this year, the six-percent includes that three percent and an additional three percent for 2012," he said.
The sewage rate increase is related to increase operating costs at the plant, such as electricity and wages, Jamison said.
Council will pass the 2012 budget at a 7 p.m. special meeting on Dec. 27.
Senior citizens, take note: Allegheny County’s Senior Citizen Property Tax Relief program offers qualified applicants a 30 percent discount on county real estate taxes.
If you are 60 or older, live in a home of your own which you have owned for at least ten years and have a household income of $30,000 or less, you can qualify.
More information is available at www.alleghenycounty.us/treasure/act77.aspx or by calling 412-350 or 1-866-282-TAXS.