(10/24) Liberty Township supervisors are learning towards a 2025 tax hike. During the annual budget workshop, supervisors voiced no opposition to Supervisor Walter "Mickey" Barlow’s proposal for a half-mill increase.
The supervisors cited the need to rebuild the township’s reserves while maintaining roads and keeping pace with increased costs.
"Some of the previous administrations were proud of the fact that they never raised the taxes on anyone for 16 years," Supervisor Bobby Keilhotlz said. "They got behind the eightball; they never kept up with expenses."
If approved, Barlow’s proposal will cost Liberty Township residents about $50 per $100,000 of assessed property. The increase will allow the township to add $84,173 to its reserve account.
The 2025 budget proposal totals about $500,000. Barlow warned that $250,000 is left in the allocated reserve account, or about six months of township operating expenses. The township’s unallocated reserve account, which covers unexpected expenses, will be down to $50,000.
"We can’t continue to pull money from reserve accounts," he said.
Supervisors also discussed the importance of continuing to maintain township roads. In 2024, the township spent about $225,000 on Bullfrog Road. Supervisors expect to finish the project in 2025 at an estimated cost of $175,000. The township is completely reconstructing Bullfrog Road, Barlow said. In the past, crews used tar and chips for an inexpensive fix that had longterm financial implications.
"That road is one of most highly trafficked roads in the township," Barlow said.
Supervisor Chris Hill agreed.
"It’s a lifeblood to the community, we need to make sure that road is open," Hill said.
Liberty Township supervisors plan to reconstruct one road every year, Barlow said. Pecher and Orchard roads are on the schedule after Bullfrog is complete. Supervisors lauded the township road crew’s willingness to work for relatively low rates. Hill noted that the township needs to prepare to replace the staff at a higher rate when the current crew decides to resign.
Township Secretary/Treasurer Wendy Peck said the supervisors will vote on advertising the budget during their November meeting. Final adoption is set for December.
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