BUTLER TWP — Township residents will not have a property tax increase in 2016 after township commissioners voted Monday to approve a $37 million budget that keeps the tax rate at 11.25 mills.

Significant costs in the budget include $725,100 in health care premium payments; $685,115 in road maintenance; and $338,275 in contributions to volunteer fire companies, according to an advance copy of the document provided by the township.

The budget includes general fund expenses of a little more than $7.8 million, which is up $325,620, or about 4.4 percent, from last year.

Items contributing to the increase include a police department budget of more than $2.2 million, up 4.4 percent from this year; a fire department budget of $582,860, up more than 3 percent from the current year; solid waste disposal costs of $17,920, up 29.7 percent from 2015; and a roads department budget of $763,207, up more than 17 percent from this year.

The township is projecting spending more than $800,000 on “general government,” more than $3 million on public safety operations, and more than $800,000 in contributions for retirement benefits.

Commissioners Chairman Joe Hasychak called the budget the latest of fiscally sound planning that has resulted in few tax increases over the years.

“We’ve gone a long time without a tax increase,” Hasychak said. “We feel like we’re headed in the right direction” with this budget.

Commissioner Sam Zurzolo seconded Hasychak’s sentiments.

“It’s a good budget; a sign of good management,” Zurzolo said.

The last time the township raised taxes was in 2012, when millage rates went from 8.25 to the current 11.25.

A typical homeowner with property of an assessed value of $14,667 and a market value of $152,827 pays $165 in township property tax per year.