CRANBERRY TWP — Township supervisors adopted a preliminary budget of more than $101 million that includes no tax increases during a meeting Thursday, Nov. 21. The final vote on the budget is set Dec. 12.

The total budget for the township in 2025 is $101,422,257, with $65,977,692 of that committed to operating costs. The largest portion of that operating cost is devoted to employee wages and benefits and comes out to $24,351,357, or about 37% of the total expenditures.

In comparison to last year’s adopted operating budget total of $58,853,476, the projected figure reflects a 4% increase when adjusted for capital expenditure increases in the sewer and golf course funds and a new solid waste contract that was signed.

“We do see an increase in revenue in some of our tax revenue sources,” said Dan Santoro, township manager. “They’re more than covering those increased costs. No proposed tax increase at all.”

A primary reason why the total budget sits at more than $101 million is because of the capital funds related to a $37 million substantial infrastructure project at the Brush Creek Sewage Treatment Plant.

“The capital funds are up higher this year because we’ve added a new PennVEST fund, which is for the treatment plant (upgrade),” Santoro told supervisors at a Nov. 13 meeting. “That’s driving up costs. So we’re up on the capital projects side.”

Cranberry’s millage rate of 13.25, broken down into 8.03 for general purposes, 2.37 for fire, 1 for public buildings, .85 for road equipment and 1 for library, also remained the same as last year.

The property tax rate, which is the second most important source of revenue for the township, will remain consistent at 8.03 mills.

A mill equals $1 in tax revenue for each $1,000 in a property’s assessed value.

The township works from three primary funds: general fund, enterprise funds and the special revenue fund.

The two primary sources of revenue for the general fund come from property taxes and Act 511 taxes. The total number of general fund expenses for the township comes out to $28,238,345, but perfectly balances out with a proposed $28,238,345 in general fund revenue.

A rise in personnel costs is one of the leading reasons that number is up from last year’s adopted total of $27,156,356.

Despite some movement between departments, the full-time staff of 169 employees remained the same in comparison to the 2024 budget. Officials budgeted for an additional full-time police officer in 2025, while eliminating the part-time position that was part of last year’s employee breakdown. The number of full-time fire and emergency service staff stayed consistent at four employees.

“Overall, I’d say we’re in great financial shape, and we continue to be in great financial shape,” Santoro told the supervisors.

Following a 20-day window to make any necessary tweaks, the proposed budget will be up for final approval at the Dec. 12 meeting.