Joseph Ressler

Residents of Fairview Borough may owe slightly more in their tax bills from next year on. Borough council has proposed a one-mill increase of its real estate tax rate from nine mills to “a rate not to exceed 10 mills.”

Council approved the proposed tax increase for advertisement at their monthly meeting on Monday, Nov. 3, and the measure is expected to be voted on during the December meeting.

According to Councilman Jeff Schumacher, this will mark the first time the borough has had to raise taxes during his four decade tenure.

“I've been on council for 40 years, and we've never done it,” Schumacher said. “Taxes haven't been raised for many, many years, and we are struggling to survive up here. We've had multiple secretaries up here.”

“I expect it to be minimal,” Schumacher added. “Nobody likes higher prices, but it's inevitable, so I don't know what else to say.”

A mill is equal to $1 in taxes for every $1,000 of assessed real estate value.