Jackson Township officials drafted and proposed the 2025 budget without any tax increases.

The budget comes with a surplus of more than $356,000, up from an excess of a little more than $200,000 that was approved in the 2024 budget.

The millage rate of 9.75 mills would remain the same, with 3 mills going toward fire protection services courtesy of the Harmony Fire District. That tax ordinance was raised from 2.5 to 3 mills heading into 2024 to match the adjoining municipalities of Harmony, Lancaster Township and Zelienople.

Increases in expenditures for the township’s police department stem from a recently signed collective bargaining agreement. The township is entering the second year of that agreement, which includes a 7% raise in salary for all of its officers. According to the township’s website, the department employs 13 full-time officers.

Total cost for the police department in 2025 is estimated at $1,621,324, an increase of $10,864 from 2024.

Officials also outlined their plans to hire an additional police officer to maintain the current level of staffing following the retirement of Chief Terry Seilhamer, who served the township for 13 years.

In addition, the township will add an employee to its public works department.

“That’s a need created in order to maintain the same level of winter maintenance that we now have,” township manager Chris Rearick said. “As we grow our parks and recreation amenities throughout the township, we’ll have a need for additional labor throughout the summer.”

Per usual, the ongoing maintenance of infrastructure was a significant component in the budget. The township will look to improve the safety of Metcalf, Mercer and Swain Hill roads.

“In terms of highlights for improvements, we’re looking at several paving projects,” Rearick said. “That includes the northern piece of Mercer Road, which has been overdue for paving and some reconfiguration of the southbound entrance from Route 19 onto that road. There have been some safety issues identified there with the speed of traffic.”

There was also an emphasis on continuing to improve parks and recreation spaces around the township.

Rearick noted the township is committed to upgrading Sippel Reservoir Park after receiving $250,000 from the state’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

“We’re looking at the construction of a concession stand with a pavilion-type area with outside seating and a restroom at Sippel Reservoir Park,” he said. “That’s funded in part by state grants. That will be bid late this year, with construction, hopefully, by late spring into the summer of next year.”

Other primary goals heading into 2025 include a new Comprehensive Plan with details for the next decade and an updated Capital Improvement Plan for projects related to stormwater, parks, equipment, building construction and roads.

Supervisors will seek to officially approve the 2025 budget at their Dec. 19 meeting.