The Washington Township 2019 budget will be focused on paying off a recent paving project, according to supervisors.

The township finished the repavement of Old Brick Road this year, and supervisors took out a five-year loan to pay for the project.

Randy Smith, board of supervisors chairman, said the loan is the largest expense listed in the budget with the first installment set for $50,000. The second largest expense will be road maintenance listed at $46,287.

All three funds are balanced: general fund at $260,479, state liquid fuels at $141,007 and Marcellus shale at $68,469.

“It's pretty much the same this year,” Smith said.

The first installment of the loan will be paid in June, according to Smith.

“We'll use the Marcellus shale impact fees to pay for it,” Smith said.

In the 2019 budget, the expense listed for the Marcellus shale money, $68,469 shows intent to move the funds to the general fund for the loan payment.

Smith said the supervisors plan to continue using the funds each year until the loan is paid.

The majority of the township's revenue for the general fund is expected to come through earned income tax at $145,000.

Smith said the supervisors have no intention of raising real estate taxes.

Real estate taxes are estimated to bring in $11,000 on a millage rate of 1.75, the second-lowest in Butler County. Cherry Valley Borough has the lowest rate.

A mill generates $1 of income for each $1,000 of a property's assessed value.

“We're one of the lowest taxed townships. We're around one mill,” Smith said. “I've been there 27 years, and we haven't raised taxes in my 27 years.”

Smith said the township has seen increases in income from both the state liquid fuels and the Marcellus shale.

“There's been a big plus from Marcellus Shale,” Smith said.

Smith said the township plans to completely pay off outstanding loans before beginning any new projects.

“Everything's pretty steady,” Smith said. “Just focused on taking care of our roads and then paying off Old Brick Road, then getting started on another road.”

Township supervisors intended to vote on the budget at Wednesday's meeting, according to Smith.