Harmony's 2022 budget, adopted by borough council Tuesday, will double its fire tax to 3 mills, while the rest remains largely unchanged.

Greg Such, borough council president, said Wednesday that the doubling of the fire tax will increase the borough's funding toward Harmony Fire District by roughly $10,500, but will create little impact for most residents.

“Any time there's a tax increase it's significant to someone, but it's not going to be a huge amount of money for most of the people here,” he said.

He added the borough has “been careful” to not increase its real estate taxes in the past 10 to 11 years.

Harmony is one of two municipalities, including Lancaster Township, in the Harmony Fire District's four-municipality area to raise its tax rate to the full 3 mills permitted under state law, while Zelienople plans to increase its own tax rate. Jackson Township plans to increase its rate short of the 3-mill limit, but make up for that money from its general fund.

“We obviously support the development of the new station, and we'd like to keep them in our community,” Such said.

As for the rest of Harmony's budget, it remains roughly the same as its 2021 budget. The borough plans a surplus of roughly $44,000, and it expects to bring in $693,291 via revenue while spending $649,330.

The borough brought in some funds via the American Rescue Plan Act and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, which were not noted in the 2021 budget.

“Everything else is either the same or trending,” Such added.