Three area townships plan to increase taxes, including a new local services tax in Sheffield.

The Sheffield Township Board of Supervisors passed the local services tax recently to help pay for police, fire and emergency services; road construction and maintenance; and property tax relief. The township will levy $52 annually for those working in the municipality. The township estimates the tax would raise $21,000 annually.

A local services tax, formerly known as an occupational privilege tax, can be levied by a municipality to fund police, fire, emergency services, road construction and maintenance, or property tax reduction activities. The tax is levied as a payroll tax.

The tax is levied on individuals who work within a taxing body’s jurisdiction. In the case of a municipality it applies to those employed in the municipality; in the case of a school district, those employed within the district.

Individuals making less than $12,000 per year, disabled veterans and those in military reserve units called to active duty are exempt from the tax.

The Warren County School District also imposes a local services tax of $5.

The tax will help to fund the municipality’s 2024 budget, which will be considered at a meeting on Dec. 28.

Supervisors will also consider an amendment to the township’s nuisance ordinance at the meeting.

The amendment would “set forth additional criteria regarding the keeping, harboring or feeding of any stray dog, stray or feral cat, or other animal in the township so as to create offensive odors, excessive noise, or unsanitary conditions.”

Copies of both the proposed budget and the ordinance amendment are available for inspection at the township office.

CONEWANGO

The Conewango Township Board of Supervisors is considering a one mill tax increase.

The tax would raise the millage rate for real estate taxes from 6.25 to 7.25 mills. The school district levies a tax of 55.8371 mills and the county levies 21.75 mills.

A mill is equal to $1 for every $1,000 of a property’s assessed taxable value. For example, the increase would raise taxes on a building with an assessed taxable value of $1,000,000 by $1,000.

In Warren County, assessed value is calculated at a rate of 50 percent of market value as of the last assessment.

Supervisors plan to consider the tax at the board’s Dec. 26 meeting.

PINE GROVE

The Pine Grove Township Board of Supervisors is considering a one mill tax increase.

The tax would raise the millage rate for real estate taxes from four to five mills. The school district levies a tax of 55.8371 mills and the county levies 21.75 mills.

A mill is equal to $1 for every $1,000 of a property’s assessed taxable value. For example, the increase would raise taxes on a building with an assessed taxable value of $1,000,000 by $1,000.

In Warren County, assessed value is calculated at a rate of 50 percent of market value as of the last assessment.