KISKIMINETAS TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Kiski Township officials are looking at a tax increase in 2025 to help balance the local budget. The increase, which will raise the township’s millage rate, was discussed in a special budget meeting on Friday. Although the final numbers haven’t been decided yet, it’s clear that taxpayers will see an increase in the coming year.
Tax Hike Details Still in the Works
The current millage rate in Kiski Township is 5.5 mills. Board supervisors are considering raising it to 7.25 mills, a jump of about 1.75 mills. This would increase taxes for homeowners. For example, a home valued at $50,000 would currently pay about $250 in taxes. With the proposed increase, that amount would rise to around $362.
Supervisor Chuck Rodnicki explained the need for the hike, saying, “Nobody likes a tax increase, but it’s a necessary evil that you have to have on occasion.” He added that like households, the township’s costs, including utilities and insurance, have been rising.
A Necessary Step, According to Officials
At Friday’s meeting, board supervisors discussed several possibilities for the increase before settling on a compromise. “We came to that conclusion between 2 mills and 1.5. We agreed on 1.75,” Rodnicki said. This new millage rate will be voted on at a special meeting on Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Rodnicki emphasized that the tax increase, while difficult, is essential for the township’s financial health. “This is like a big household. It’s like your household at home. Your costs go up, your utilities go up, everything goes up, your insurances. We’re the same thing,” he said.
Mixed Reactions from Local Residents
While the board has agreed on the proposed tax increase, not all residents are on board. Some, like Kiski Township resident Debra Knepshield, feel that any increase could negatively impact people who are already struggling financially. “For people who are really struggling, it’s gonna affect them more than people who aren’t,” Knepshield said.
However, others, such as Teresa Rodnicki, support the move. “I feel that we should have increased that mill last year to help us,” she said, agreeing with the need for an increase.
Final Decision Expected Soon
The proposed nearly 32% increase in the millage rate won’t be official until it is approved by the board at the upcoming special meeting. Residents will be watching closely to see how the vote unfolds and what it means for their property taxes in 2025.
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