ROSS TOWNSHIP, Pa. — The Ross Township Board of Commissioners will vote next month on a proposed 12.5% property tax increase, the third increase in just as many years.
Commission president Dan DeMarco told Channel 11 that Ross Township’s overall spending is projected to go up by nearly $2.7 million in 2027. He said that includes skyrocketing health insurance premiums for township employees, the rising cost of road salt, and stormwater projects that could help mitigate flooding.
“No system is going to be able to handle some of these storms altogether, but smaller storms, you shouldn’t have some of these problems,” DeMarco said. “We cannot control a lot of these increased costs.”
Others say enough is enough.
“Twelve percent is a lot,” said Karen Abmayer, a Ross Township resident. “I think it’s devastating, especially for people on fixed incomes.”
“I know it sounds like it’s going for a good reason, but I think right now with inflation, people want to try to get by and live,” said Kelli Stebler, who works in Ross Township.
Ross Township also increased its public safety budget to more than $12 million, up more than 11 percent. DeMarco said that includes repairs and maintenance of two township ladder trucks and the addition of another full-time firefighter who would assist the newly-added chief of fire and emergency services.
Demarco said it’s still being determined how much each volunteer fire department will receive from the township
“A fire truck today costs $2 million,” DeMarco said. “We have to reform the whole system, the whole fire delivery system. We have to look at the eight fire companies we have, the amount of equipment that exists right now.”
This comes as Ross-West View EMS requested a $30 annual increase from residents, which Ross Township would have to approve, along with the other communities it serves.
“I personally am having a problem with the requested increase they’ve asked for,” DeMarco said.
The next board of commissioners meeting is Monday, November 16. A vote is set for December 7.
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