Cranberry sees no property tax increase

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The 2009 budget for Cranberry was proposed on Thursday. This proposed budget plan passed unanimously and is one which has no frills, other than plans to finish up several projects which are at this time on going. All of this was done with out the need to raise the tax rates.
Another meeting for this adoption will be in mid December at which the 36 million dollar spending plan will be finalized.
Jerry Andree who is the Manager for the Township has said that due to several capital projects the spending for 2008 was about four million.
In the new year there are no projects to be initiated, while just a few significant large projects will be finished up. One of the projects that will be finished up is the Grahn Park and another is of course road projects.
As of right now there are not any plans to increase water park or golf course fees, and so far no increases for sewer and water in the comming new year. There is however an increase on the garbage fees. These fees will be going up by approximatly $1.45 a month. This is mostly for those commonly used trash carts which are 96 gallons. Andree has said this is only due to the higher rates by the contractors, higher costs of the trash carts and the end of state grants for recycling.
Taxpayers however wont be noticing increases to their property taxes for the new year. These rates are changing because of a decision which was made by the Butler County commissioners which was to change the tax system for the county. Even though the tax system has changed the residents will see no difference in their tax bills.
The general fund of 2009 is around 15 million dollars and is also starting out with 6 million dollars which will be carried over from 2008. For 2007 to 2008 there was also a similar carryover. This spending plan is being characterized as being a conservative one, when it comes to expenditures for revenue projections.
Though because the township is able to continue their attraction for new developments they were able to avoid the need to increase the taxes.
Thanks to careful planning by the people of Cranberry, and people still investing in the township the hard work and plans are now paying off.
Also at this meeting Andree by unanimous vote also recieved an increase in salary. The raise will increase his salary from $117 thousand to $119 thousand, which is a 1.75% increase.
Hard work and alot of planning really does pay off in the end. Residents I am sure are thrilled at not seeing their property taxes increasing.