Despite a projected 8% increase in spending next year, Westmoreland County commissioners aren't planning on a tax hike in 2025.
The commissioners Thursday approved a tentative budget of $412 million that keeps the tax rate the same, but uses money from its reserves to cover a nearly $32 million projected deficit. The county projects it will end 2025 with $643 million in reserves.
The commissioners said they'll revise the spending plan before adopting a final version on Dec. 19.
This year's budget was shored up with a 32.5% property tax increase, raising the levy to 25 mills -- the maximum limit under state law -- for funding general government operations.
An additional tax of 3.48 mills is devoted to county debt payments. The year's debt service payments are estimated to exceed $14 million.
Each mill of tax generates about $4 million for the county. The average property owner has an annual county tax bill of $531.02, according to county finance director Meghan McCandless.
McCandless noted the budget next year no longer will reflect federal funding under the American Rescue Plan Act, which has expired. It boosted the 2024 budget by $25 million.
The tentative 2025 budget projects spending will increase by $32 million, or about 8%, from 2024 year-end estimates.
Personnel costs are expected to increase by 6% while spending on health insurance and retirement benefits is slated for a 15% jump, McCandless said.
Next year's planned capital projects include:
* Replacement of two hot water storage tanks at the county prison, at a cost of $334,000;
* Foundation repairs at the McKenna Center senior center in Greensburg, $350,000;
* Relocation of the Five Star Trail, $853,988.
The effort to shift the trail, to increase its distance from the adjacent Norfolk Southern Railway tracks, is targeted between South Greensburg and the Buncher Commerce Park near Youngwood, according to Dante DeCario, assistant director of county public works.
"Norfolk Southern changed the safety boundaries for people walking along the railroad," said Greg McCloskey, director of county operations.
The county is drawing upon several funding sources for the trail project, including a state recreational grant, revenue from the county's 5% hotel tax and money provided by the county parks Citizens Advisory Board and the Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corp.