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Your Tax Dollars at Work
South Fayette Township's 2021 budget allows for expansion without tax increase
Growth continues despite coronavirus pandemic
By Andrea Iglar
South Fayette Township has adopted a $13.9 million operating budget for 2021 with no tax increase.
The township property tax rate remains at 4.73 mills, equivalent to $473 per $100,000 in assessed property value.
For a home valued at $152,100—the median property value in South Fayette, according to Allegheny County—the township tax bill is about $719.
South Fayette Township's 2021 operating budget is $13.9 million.
Illustration by Andrea Iglar
In addition, the township approved a $13 million capital improvement plan for roads, parks, equipment and facilities.
The budget reflects the local government’s ability to keep pace with community growth, even during the COVID-19 pandemic, Township Manager John Barrett said.
“We’re definitely fortunate,” he said.
Unlike many communities during the pandemic, South Fayette has not experienced a revenue decline and can expand staffing and projects without raising taxes, Mr. Barrett said.
Highlights for 2021 include:
• $1.5 million for the annual road paving program
• $1.7 million transfer to a fund for capital projects
• $47,000 first-time contribution to SouthBridge EMS, the nonprofit ambulance service based in South Fayette
• $165,000 contribution to South Fayette Township Library (increase of $22,000)
• One additional police officer
• One additional public works laborer/driver
Coupled with recent equipment investments, the additional laborer position will help the Public Works Department maintain parks, roads and other infrastructure, Mr. Barrett said. With the addition, the department will have 16 laborers plus the director, superintendent and foreman.
With another officer on board, the police will be able to add a second investigator position—part of an ongoing restructuring to bolster the department’s effectiveness and efficiency.
Once the new position is added, the police department will include 12 patrol officers, five sergeants, two investigators, one lieutenant, the police chief and the administrative assistant.
The budget also establishes a reliable funding source for capital projects, which may expand, replace, maintain or improve public assets such as infrastructure, facilities and equipment with a useful life of at least 10 years.
The township has developed a five-year plan to guide capital spending, with $13 million in projects under consideration in 2021.
Priorities include completing the annual road paving program, preparing property on Hickory Grade Road for a new police station and township office building, and constructing a driveway that connects Mayview Road with Fairview Park, where a splash pad, baseball fields and other amenities eventually will be built.
The 2021 operating budget shows a transfer of $1.7 million to the capital reserve, a fund that also includes grants, surplus money from previous years, and other monetary sources.
“The budget is showing a commitment to capital projects,” Mr. Barrett said. “We’re really investing in our parks, amenities and public spaces.”
See the full budget, plus the 2020 Year in Review, at https://www.southfayettepa.com/budget.
Here's the scoop on property taxes
Three independent entities— South Fayette Township, the South Fayette School District and Allegheny County— collect real estate taxes from property owners.
South Fayette voters have elected Kevin Biber as the Real Estate Tax Collector to accept tax payments for both the township and the school district. The Allegheny County Treasurer collects county taxes.
Elected officials for each entity set their annual property tax rates.
The five-member Board of Commissioners sets the tax rate for the township government (4.73 mills, or $473 per $100,000 in assessed value).
This property tax revenue funds more than half of the municipality’s annual budget, including police service, road maintenance, trash and recycling collection, parks and recreation, code enforcement and many other public services.
Allegheny County Council sets the county rate, which coincidentally is the same as the township rate: 4.73 mills.
Township and county taxes each account for 13 percent of a property owner's total local property taxes paid.
The nine-member school board sets the tax rate for the public school district (26.7 mills, or $2,670 per $100,000 in value). School taxes are the most expensive, accounting for 74 percent of total property taxes.
