Tax Increase Approved In Peters Township

Taxes will go up slightly in Peters Township in 2022. Council approved a .078 mil increase in township taxes. Township Manager Paul Lauer has been warning council of this increase since it issued bonds for the construction of Rolling Hills Park in 2019. The Township has been absorbing the additional debt service on this bond since 2019. This increase will offset roughly $250,000 of the $300,000 that that bond costs. Lauer says that the tax increase will be $25.74 annually to the average tax payer whose home is assessed at $320,000. The budget plan is flexible in that it is balanced as far as operations and expenses are concerned. There appears to be a $17 million difference between $22 million in revenues and $39 million in spending. Lauer states that the budget shows three large spending projects that council could take on. Most likely, council would only take on one of the projects. Those projects could be the $10 million aquatic center, a $4 million fire station and a $500,000 fire truck. American Rescue Plan monies will largely fund storm sewer projects. That will free up township money to aggressively pursue a road maintenance program that will include upgrades to streets once designated as minimum maintenance streets. Council began the meeting with a public hearing regarding the township’s participation in a sharpshooter program to enhance its deer culling program. The township is half way through the application process. Several people spoke against the program. The township’s Environmental Quality Board spoke in favor. Council will need to consider the idea at a future meeting.