Salisbury Township real estate taxes for the municipality will remain the same, but rates for water and sewer are increasing in the 2023 township budget.

The Salisbury Township Board of Commissioners voted unanimously 5-0 to approve a general fund budget of revenue and expenditures of $9,789,448.

GENERAL FUND

The revenue is $9,728,493, balanced with use of $60,955 in prior-year reserves.

The details for expenditures of $9,789,448 are:

Operating Expenditures

General Government - $1,392,793

Police - $3,498,860

Public Safety (non-police) - $813,299

Highways and Public Works - $2,865,214

Recreation - $134,722

Environmental Advisory - $12,400

Insurances and Benefits - $214,000

Contributions and Miscellaneous - $23,000

Total Operating Expenditures - $8,954,218

Non-Operating Expenditures

Debt Service - $367,663

Capital - $467,567

Total Non-Operating Expenditures - $835,230

FIRE PROTECTION FUND

Revenue - $383,720

Current Year - $383,720

Expenditures - $383,720

Operating Expenditures - $251,850

Non-Operating Expenditures - $59,135

Transfer to Reserves - $72,735

LIBRARY FUND

Revenue - $86,120

Current Year - $80,120

Use of Prior-Year Reserves - $6,000

Operating Expenditures - $86,120

WATER FUND

Revenue - $2,465,629

Current Year - $2,410,540

Use of Prior-Year Reserves - $55,089

Expenditures - $2,465,629

Operating Expenditures - $2,260,629

Non-Operating Expenditures - $205,000

SEWER FUND

Revenue - $2,337,383

Current Year - $2,289,427

Use of Prior-Year Reserves - $47,956

Expenditures - $2,337,383

Operating Expenditures - $1,957,383

Non-Operating Expenditures - $380,000

REFUSE & RECYCLING FUND

Revenue - $1,973,957

Current Year - $1,923,556

Use of Prior-Year Reserves - $50,401

Operating Expenditures - $1,973,957

HIGHWAY AID FUND

Revenue - $660,400

Current Year - $451,260

Use of Prior-Year Reserves - $209,140

Expenditures - $660,400

Operating Expenditures - $220,400

Capital Expenditures - $440,000

The township taxation for township purposes for the fiscal year 2023 is the same as for 2022.

The rate for general township purposes is 2.57000 mills on each $1 of assessed valuation, or 25.7000 cents on each $100 of assessed valuation.

Fire protection receives 0.29000 mills on each $1 of assessed valuation, or 02.9000 cents on each $100 of assessed valuation.

Library services receives 0.06000 mills on each $1 of assessed valuation, or 00.6000 cents on each $100 of assessed valuation.

A discount of 2 percent of tax levied shall be allowed if payment in full is tendered or officially postmarked on or before May 31, 2023.

A penalty equal to 10 percent of the amount of tax levied shall be added to the tax and is payable if payment in full of the tax is not tendered or officially postmarked on or before July 31, 2023.

Based on the $232,000 median township assessment and the 2.9 millage rate, the tax rate would be $677 flat, or $663 with the discount.

The water rate, effective Jan. 1, 2023, is $8.30 for each 1,000 gallons of water.

The sewer rate, effective Jan. 1, 2023, for each private dwelling unit is $316 annually, payable at $79 per quarter billing period.

As of Jan. 1, 2023, the sewer rate for owners of nonresidential improved properties is $347.60 per annum, or $86.90 per quarterly billing period.

In other business at the Dec. 8 township meeting, commissioners voted to appoint Gross McGinley, LLP, as township solicitor, effective Jan. 1, 2023 to Jan. 1, 2024. This is a change from the previous township solicitor, Davison & McCarthy, P.C., represented by Attorney John W. Ashley at board of commissioners and planning commission meetings.

It’s uncertain as to which attorney or attorneys will represent Gross McGinley at township meetings.

Gross McGinley will also serve as solicitor for the township planning commission.

Attorney Victor F. Cavacini, of Gross McGinley, cannot continue as solicitor for the township zoning board. The same law firm cannot be solicitor for a township planning commission and zoning hearing board.

It is expected Attorney William J. Fries, who has filled in as attorney for the township zoning hearing board, will become the solicitor for the zoning hearing board.

Commissioners also voted Dec. 8 to appoint Barry Isett & Associates, Inc., as township engineer, effective Jan. 1, 2023, to Jan. 1, 2024. This is a change from the previous township engineer, Keystone Consulting Engineers, Inc., represented by David J. Tettemer, who had announced he is phasing out of his work for the township at the end of 2022.

Stan Wojciechowski, department head, Municipial Water and Waste Water, at Isett, is expected to represent the engineering firm at township commissioner and planning commission meetings.

The next township commissioners meeting is 7 p.m. Jan. 12, 2023 in the meeting room of the municipal building, 2900 S. Pike Ave.

The township Environmental Advisory Council meets 7 p.m. Dec. 21 in the meeting room of the municipal building.