Another property tax increase may be coming for homeowners in Millvale, Pennsylvania.

If the borough adopts a 5-mill increase in its 2027 budget, the annual tax on a home with the median $38,000 assessment would go up by $190.

Here's what to know

For a property with the borough's median assessed value, the annual borough tax bill would rise from $570 to $760 if Millvale Borough Council approves Borough Manager Seth Abrams' proposal to raise the total millage rate to 20 mills.

Millvale is considering this increase after approving a 58% property tax hike to help address a major budget gap, according to CBS News Pittsburgh. Abrams said, "It cumulatively was about $3 million from 2022 to now."

Public input will come before any final vote. Millvale Borough Council plans to discuss the proposed budget at meetings on Nov. 2 and Nov. 10.

More background

For Millvale homeowners trying to manage a possible annual increase, cutting other costs could make a difference. Going solar is one of the best ways to save money on home energy, and solar leases in particular can deliver hundreds of dollars in monthly savings without any upfront costs. EasyHome can help people see their potential savings from vetted installers in their area.

Tax bills in Millvale are also based on assessments that may be far below current sale prices. Abrams said the average home sale in the borough is about $125,000, while many residents are taxed on a median assessed value of $38,000.

He added that the 2011 flood helped push Millvale property values down, and those figures have lingered because the county hasn't reassessed properties borough-wide since 2012, according to CBS News Pittsburgh. As a result, many assessments no longer line up with what homes are selling for.

Some properties are selling for far more than their assessed values, but borough leaders say the municipality still needs additional revenue to cover basic operations.

What's being done?

The debate over another tax increase is playing out as Millvale assembles its 2027 budget. Residents' main chance to comment before council takes a final vote will be at the Nov. 2 and Nov. 10 meetings.

The borough held taxes down by putting off building upkeep, pausing its paving program, and dipping into savings and other reserves. Staffing has been reduced significantly, leaving little room to cut costs further without affecting everyday services.

Officials said the added revenue would support code enforcement, the police department, and routine public works needs such as winter plowing, mowing, pothole patching, and stormwater work.

For homeowners facing a bill increase, EasyHome offers a free explorer tool that can help compare solar options from vetted installers in their area. EasyHome can also help readers explore backup battery storage, and pairing solar with a battery allows homeowners to maximize savings and power their home with solar when the grid goes down.

"We have reduced our staffing about as much as we can," Abrams explained. "We need it to provide the basic public works, plowing in the winter, mowing the grass, patching the potholes, stormwater."

Where can I learn more?

Millvale's debate mirrors rising housing costs in other communities

• In an HOA community, a homeowner weighed a $30,000 neighborhood assessment as repair costs mounted.

• In southeast Michigan, officials said higher water bills were needed to support the system.

• Across the U.S., families could face dramatically higher utility costs during another scorching summer.

• Regulators in Idaho advanced a new insurance mandate as wildfire risks kept climbing.

• Connecticut lawmakers debated a controversial insurance bill that could raise drivers' costs.

Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.