Let's DO Take Back Our Borough!
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Oz, you're right on the money......First of all, we can't be afraid to raise the bar on real estate! The asking prices for homes in Brentwood are ludicrous. Why are our homes valued so low???
Real estate is supposed to be your wisest investment. Homes on Brownsville Road used to sell for much more. Over the years, the prices have dropped dramatically.
There are many similar homes in Baldwin and Whitehall priced much higher....and they sell!!!
What is happening here, has happened in other, once wonderful, family-friendly, affluent neighborhoods. Mt. Oliver, Knoxville, Beltzhoover, and moreover, Mt. Washington, were once viable, beautiful neighborhoods.
But, sad to say, they've all gone to "ghetto" status. Only Grandview Avenue in Mt. Washington is thriving, at the moment. Take a drive down the side streets....
Face it, the squalor is making its way out Brownsville Road and Rt. 51. It's just a matter of time, unless people stop running scared and taking pennies on the dollar just to get out.
If those of us in Baldwin and Whitehall are thankful we don't live in Brentwood, take heed...Brentwood was the panacea to those who escaped from the city!!! It will take only a few short years before it consumes the entire south hills area.
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WHAT COMES FIRST? THE CHICKEN (HIGH TAXES) OR THE EGG (LESS TAX REVENUE)?
THERE IS NO QUESTION WHATSOEVER THAT THE EXTREMELY HIGH TAX LEVEL IN THE BOROUGH IS THE REASON FOLKS ARE MOVING AWAY, - OR NOT MOVING TO BRENTWOOD.
IT'S ALSO THE REASON ONE CAN'T GET A "MARKET" RATE WHEN A HOUSE IS SOLD. HOMES ARE WORTH LESS THUS, THEY PRODUCE LESS IN TAX REVENUE, THE FOLKS WHO DO MOVE HERE ALSO MAKE LESS, - THUS THEY PAY LESS IN WAGE TAX.
THE BOROUGH DOESN'T COLLECT ENOUGH IN TAXES TO ADEQUATELY TAKE CARE OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE (LIKE THE TRACK AND FIELD IN THE STADIUM) AND THUS IT LOOKS BAD.
THEN WHY MOVE TO A SCHOOL DISTRICT WITH HIGH TAXES AND A CINDER TRACK? PROSPECTIVE BUYERS (WHO HAVE MONEY) DON'T EVEN CONSIDER BRENTWOOD. THEY MOVE TO WHITEHALL, CASTLE SHANNON, PLESANT HILLS ETC...
THE FOLKS THAT DO MOVE TO BRENTWOOD GENERALLY COME FROM THE CITY AND CAN'T AFFORD TO MOVE ANYWHERE ELSE, AND CAN BUY A $60,000 HOME THAT ANYWHERE ELSE WOULD SELL FOR $90-100,000.
WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT? UNFORTUNATELY, AT THIS POINT, WITH THE CURRENT OUTLOOK OF CUT-THROAT BICKERING, NOTHING CAN BE DONE... AND THE ALUNIMUN CAN MARKET ISN'T HIGH ENOUGH TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE EITHER.
You are buying into the "taxes too high" jargon.
The taxes in both Baldwin and Whitehall are higher, and the home prices are higher, and yet, homes are still selling.
All of us have brought Brentwood down to a level of lower middle-income instead of keeping up with the "Whitehalls." However, their day is yet to come. Mark my words......if it happens in Brentwood, it WILL happen in the entire south hills, and it won't take that long.
The face of Brentwood is changing. This history of city neighborhoods is, unfortunately, repeating itself in Brentwood. There are already "sore" spots in Whitehall, and we know where it is in Baldwin. Yet, Baldwin-Whitehall High School is in the throes of receiving a multi-million dollar face-lift.
We need to re-think Brentwood. The Borough needs to be lifted to it's once widely known elite status.
The taxes are plenty high in Peters Township, yet families are flocking to nest there, aren't they? And, they aren't all people making $100K +. Believe that. Don't fool yourself into thinking that four lanes of asphalt and a country club will keep the ghetto contained.
THE LAST TIME I CHECKED BRENTWOOD WAS NUMBER THREE IN THE COUNTY. AND THAT'S OUT OF 130 MUNICIPALITIES... (CHECK THE COUNTY WEB-SITE IF YOU NEED PROOF).
THE FURTHER OUT YOU GO THE TAX RATE DECLINES, AND WHEN ONE GOES INTO WASHINGTON COUNTY (WHERE PETER'S TWP. IS) THE RATE DIPS EVEN MORE.
PEOPLE SIMPLY WILL NOT MOVE (OR STAY) HERE TO PAY THIS TAX RATE (IN BRENTWOOD) FOR A CINDER TRACK, MUD FIELD, AND THE TINY CIVIC CENTER.
UNFORTUNATELY BRENTWOOD'S ELITE STATUS LEFT WITH MAYOR BILL TEPSIC ABOUT 35-40 YEARS AGO.
Peter's Township taxes are higher; the higher the home price, the more taxes you'll pay; that's simple math! I don't care what the millage is, but I digress.
People will pay the price for their homes. What does Peter's really have to offer besides status??? So, they have an all-weather track, big deal. It's the status which Peter's holds, is it not? Brentwood once held that status as city-dwellers looking for a better life moved a few miles out to Brentwood!
As a community, we have to decide if we are going to progress or go the way of most city neighborhoods.
Unfortunately, if you want the good life, you must pay for it. On the other hand, the ruling that changed life the way we know it....section 8....will be the demise of most decent neighborhoods.
I wish someone would publish stats on how communities are doing which have an abundance of section 8 housing from its inception to the present. Objections to section 8 are not racially based, as some blindly claim. All you need do is ride down Greenlee Rd. The section 8 apartment house sticks out like the disgusting, broken down, should-be-condemned, disgraceful eye-sore that it is.
My heart is with the homeowners in the area who won't get anything for the homes they've worked hard to keep presentable, making improvements and taking pride in their property, while you have those who don't care about their own residences (newspapers, boards or nothing over the windows?) much less what they're doing to yours. Ask the area police how much the crime rate has increased since that building went section 8???
And, that's just one, there are entirely too many. Section 8, while conceived to guarantee housing to those in need, seemingly has placed no restrictions on the recipients of this generous gift. They can go ANYWHERE in Allegheny County, and if they can't pay the rent, the County makes up the difference from "what they can afford" to the actual monthly rent. If the rent is $800 a month, and the recipient says they can only afford $200, the County picks up the other $600!!! If they don't pay, the County does. It's a win-win for the slum lord!!! Who wouldn't want to go section 8, especially because the owner doesn't have to live there. Many are out-of-state owned.
They've created a monster that gets more frightening by the moment. Section 8 should be there for the truly needy, and, of course, like all government social programs, is being abused more often than not.
SINCE APPARENTLY YOU (AND HUNDREDS OF OTHERS) ABANDONED BRENTWOOD, HOME PRICES WENT DOWN, TAX REVENUE TO MAINTAIN THE BOROUGH WENT DOWN, AND THE COMMUNITY WENT DOWN AS WELL.
YOU CAN'T BLAME THE "MOVIN ON UPPERS" FROM THE CITY WHO CAME TO BRENTWOOD DURING THE PAST FIFTEEN YEARS FOR THE DECLINE, THEY'RE DOING THEIR BEST AND MOVED OUT OF CARRICK, ALLENTOWN, AND MT. OLIVER FOR GOOD REASON.
AND YOU CAN'T BLAME THE SECTION EIGHT FOLKS EITHER, HOME PRICES ARE "BELOW MARKET" IN BRENTWOOD AND THE LANDLORDS BUY THEM UP AND RENT THEM OUT. IT'S "SIMPLY MATH" AS YOU PUT IT.
YOU KNOW, A DRUG DEALER MOVED IN ACROSS THE STREET FROM MY HOME EARLIER THIS YEAR AND PLYS HIS TRADE WITH RECKLESS-ABANDON FOR ALL TO SEE. (HE SHOULD INSTALL A DRIVE-THROUGH WINDOW.)
I'VE REPORTED THE ACTIVITY YET IT CONTINUES AS THE "KNUCKLEHEADS" ON COUNCIL FIGHT WITH EACH OTHER, THE MAYOR, THE POLICE CHIEF - AND THE COPS FIGHT WITH EACH OTHER. BUT THEN THE GOVERNMENT IS SIMPLY A REFLECTION OF WHAT THE COMMUNITY IS, - OR HAS BECOME.
I LIVE IN BRENTWOOD (WHERE I GREW UP), PAY MY HIGH TAXES (WELL IN EXCESS OF 10 GRAND A YEAR), I CUT MY GRASS AND TAKE CARE OF MY HOME. I DIDN'T MOVE TO WHITEHALL, JEFFERSON, OR PETER'S FOR THAT FACT.
I HAVEN'T LEFT........BUT MOST EVERYONE ELSE DID.
WHEN FOLKS BEGIN TO SEE THE BENEFITES OF LIVING IN BRENTWOOD, (LIKE THOSE WHO NOW HAVE FLOCKED TO THE SOUTH SIDE) - THEY HAVE TO BE SOLD ON THE COMMUNITY....BUT THEN THAT WOULD TAKE "LEADERSHIP" AND UNFORTUNATELY IT IS IN SHORT SUPPLY.
I keep hearing how the city neighborhoods are coming back....
Look around! How do you think 1/2 million dollar homes scattered among crack houses justifies the term "coming back?"
They're building homes in these ghettos while the crime rate from homicide, assult and drugs soars!!!
I know it sounds simple, but if we all want to keep Brentwood, and should, no matter where we live (because as I've said, you're next!), the home prices have to go up. Since you can buy a home in Brentwood as cheaply as in Mt. Oliver and Carrick, why wouldn't you??? Home prices in Baldwin are dropping as well, and Whitehall certainly isn't what it used to be either. It's a disease that is spreading.
Why do you think people pay the astronomical price for a home, and then those taxes, in Upper St. Clair and Peter's? They are TRYING to get away from the infliction that is befalling us all.
Brentwood, in years past, was the place to move IF, IF, IF, ONLY IF, you could afford it. That mentality needs to be reset. I can't believe you don't think that, paying the tax rate you're paying. The home prices need to be high, and the taxes need to be high, so you REALLY have to WANT to be here. The taxes are very low in the city......there's your answer to low taxes!!! Sorry but, money buys priviledge...that's a fact of life. I would love to live in Fox Chapel, but I can't afford to live there...that's life! Do you feel sorry for me? Then why feel pity for those who COULDN'T otherwise afford to live in Brentwood???
I really want the old Brentwood back, and I'm willing to pay for it.
I don't know what's happened to the police department. You never see a cop car patrolling. They're all parked waiting to stop speeders....like that's going to keep crime stats down here in the boro. About that drug dealer, call the county drug task force, downtown (look in the blue pages). They WILL take care of your problem.
I'd certainly like the old Brentwood back as well; unfortunately (again) most in Brentwood don't remember the old Brentwood - because they weren't here to experience it. As for those who have moved, I too could move to Fox Chapel or USC if I wanted, but I remain in Brentwood.
Things could be turned around, it isn't too late - but as I stated earlier, not with the folks who are running things now. They lack the ability, vision, and understanding to do anything. It's really sad, but my hat is off to your enthusiasm W.S.
Wesley,
It seems that everything is this borough is this council's fault. Interesting that this council has been the first in years to do any real improvements to this borough(roads, park steps, practice field), yet you still say they are the problem. They lack vision. Maybe you think that things will just revert back to the glory days, No Thanks. I've lived through the days of do nothing and ignore the problems for too long. Unfortunately change hurts, you sometimes have to give things a push and sometimes you have to pay. I have lived here for over Thirty years. I was educated in the school district. This still is a great place to live. I have traveled around the world and Brentwood is very unique. Tax millage is high but assessments are low as Wedding Singer said. By the math I was taught that means you pay less in taxes than the neighboring boroughs for the same house. WS is right in stating that high taxes keep out the trouble. People do not mind paying their taxes if they see some return on their investment. Go to the county Real Estate website and pull up a house similar to yours in Whitehall, Baldwin, or Upper St. Clair and run the numbers. Brentwood will always be the lowest tax bill. Even our wage tax is lower than the surrounding communities. Take off the Blinders!!
As for your drug issue, the council is not in charge of the police. You should call or e-mail the Mayor. He is the one who oversees the Police. Call the Chief and tell him personally. Document it and bring that to the council meetings so you can tell everyone that nothing is being done. Place the blame in the right place. The police need to be doing a better job, plain and simple. In their defense, they have been down officers due to workers comp issues. Hopefully they will be back to full staff soon.
"millage is high but assessments are low. By the math I was taught that means you pay less in taxes than the neighboring boroughs for the same house. WS is right in stating that high taxes keep out the trouble."- - Per L&P
Dear Lifelong
Why would anyone buy a home in Brentwood? Think about what you stated...
since my home is by far my largest investment I'd like to see at least a little appreciation over the years, but with your reasoning I might as well sell, get what I can now, and get out.
If your reasoning dominates the council they certainly aren't looking for folks to move here if their home investment is a loss-leaded to start with.
Back up and think this through again, if you are in a position of influence -please! You've demonstrated my point as to a lack of understanding, it would be humerous if it weren't true.
I think the point is this-you can buy a house in Peters (where the assessments are high) and you are going to pay more for your same home, but your taxes are lower because the milleage is lower. Here in Brentwood the cost of homes is lower, but our milleage is high so you pay more in taxes, but less for your home.
That said, I think more people need to go to council meetings. We need to let council know that we need a rubber track and decent field. They need to know what the people want. Let's get after it and get it done. It cannot just be one or two people, that will never work. I think they would be more receptive if they knew that this is what the people want. We also need to stay after the infrastructure and the growing of businesses in the borough.
One thing I don't understand though is that the school does nothing to help with the stadium. Would'nt they be able to apply for grants from the state if they owned the stadium? I am not sure but that would seem logical to me. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
I also think people are splitting hairs over the practice field. We need it. It will be very nice when it is done. There is an old saying and it goes something like this-to make an omelet, you need to break some eggs. The trees will be replanted. In the end it is for the kids. And I agree we need to update for the kids of the borough.
Welsey,
I did not buy a home in Brentwood because of how much I pay in taxes. I bought my home because of what the borough had to offer. What you are saying is that it simply comes down to taxes. If that is your barometer for whether to stay or sell, I guess we should all sell. My point may not have been made as clear as I hoped. People usually do not have a problem paying more in taxes if they see value for their dollar. This town did not fall into this situation overnight. There has been a systemic problem of not maintaining what we have and the refusal to improve anything.
Blame council if you like. Blame the council before them. I do not care. Caring about making this borough better just seems to get people into trouble these day. Maybe we should all just pound a For Sale sign in and get out
NOW LETS DO THIS REAL SLOW...
WHEN I PURCHASE A CAR I KNOW IT IS GOING TO GO DOWN IN VALUE WHEN I DRIVE IT OFF THE LOT....BUT THAT IS NOT (USUALLY) THE CASE WITH A HOUSE...IT "SHOULD" GO UP IN VALUE, - IT SHOULD GO UP, NOT DOWN.
AND AS LONG AS VALUES GO DOWN, TAX REVENUE GENERATED BY THE REAL ESTATE STOCK GOES DOWN AS WELL - WHICH CAUSES TAX MILAGE TO GO UP EVEN HIGHER -WHICH CAUSES THE HOME VALUES TO GO DOWN EVEN MORE.
IT'S A CYCLE WHICH ENDS LIKE CLAIRTON - WHICH IS FILLED WITH BEAUTIFUL HOMES THAT CAN'T HARDLY BE GIVEN AWAY.
BELIEVE ME, I UNDERSTAND MILAGE AND ASSESSMENTS, BUT THE UNDERLYING FACTOR IS THAT THE TAX RATE CAN'T BE SO HIGH THAT IT DEPRESSES NATURAL APPRECIATION OVER THE YEARS. THAT IS A TREMENDOUS BURDEN THAT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO OVERCOME, NO MATTER HOW NICE THE COMMUNITY IS.
AS LONG AS MY HOME INCREASES IN VALUE TAX INCREASES ARE NOT AS NECESSARY.
Your point is well taken, and would be true if only the county would do their job and assess and reassess homes correctly. They have things very screwed up, let's face it most of the homes here are assessed incorrectly. For instance my home is assessed at 86 thousand, but would probably sell for well over 120 thousand. I think if the county would assess Brentwood accurately everyone's taxes would skyrocket and Brentwood would have a huge windfall. The only way to counteract that would be to decrease the milleage then. Don't you agree?
TWO POINTS:
1. THE BASE LINE SYSTEM DOESN'T HAVE TO IMPACT WHAT HOMES ACTUALLY SELL FOR, BUT IT DOES IMPACT THE AMOUNT OF MONEY COLLECTED THROUGH TAXES. THAT IS A VERY VALID POINT. BRENTWOOD VALUES ARE NOW FROZEN IN PLACE AND THAT IS NOT A GOOD THING FOR MY ARGUMENT - YOU HAVE ME THERE.
2. BUT, IF REGULAR ASSESSMENTS WERE TO BE REINSTATED (AS I BELIEVE THEY EVENTUALLY WILL BE) TAXING BODIES ARE THEORECTICALLY NOT PERMITED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A "WINDFALL" OVER A 5% INCREASE - BUT IT'S NOT ENFORCED IN ANY WAY THAT I KNOW OF.
BUT DESPITE THESE FACTS BRENTWOOD SHOULD AT LEAST "ATTEMPT" A SMALL TAX DECREASE, OR AT LEAST COMMIT TO NO INCREASES. AS I UNDERSTAND IT FROM SERVERAL SOURCES THE COUNTY HAS NOT INCREASED ITS TAX RATE SINCE IT WAS DRAMATICALY CUT IN 1996 AND CONTINUES TO GET BY. BUT WHAT THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT DID, AND CONTINUES TO DO, IS REDUCE SPENDING.
I have to agree. Too much bickering....to little being achieved....too much corruption. Very, very nice chatting with you. You have obviously been arojnd a long time, you must have some ideas on how to revive the dead. Do you have any suggestions? This is a wonderful forum in which to voice your opinions. Heaven knows, the current regime hasn't a clue!
Council is NOT in charge of the police??? I believe that would be a welcomed piece of useful information to Brentwood's Chief!!!
Ok, so the roads are being paved. On the other hand, the loss of those ancient, beautiful trees for a semi-useless practice field is inconscionable.
That money could be better spent keeping the cinders out of the knees of the track and field participants. Brentwood must be the only school in the USA still forcing kids to run on cinders!!! BW has had at least 3 all-weather tracks so far. Can't Brentwood take their old one and cut it to fit - lol?
Other districts pour money into their schools...with all the taxes Brentwood does take in (now, much more than in past years when MANY just didn't have to pay theirs!) Brentwood needs to place the kids a bit higher on the food chain.
Anyway, any viable ideas on keeping this island afloat??? The last I heard, there are over 90 homes for sale in Brentwood. An all-time high, according to one realtor. That's opened the door to the creation of more slums/section 8s/absentee owner purchases, etc., etc..
Now think about what you are saying. How are they going to replace a cinder track and field, with nowhere to put the athletics? The practice field first, a place to practice and hold down the fort, while they attack the track and field. It was referred to as Phase I. Come on, give them a chance! Less negativity and more positive feedback, be part of the process not the part that holds progress back.
The attributes of Brentwood must be sold to prospective home-buyers, and there are many. Brentwood Council and the School Board could do this together. The many homes for sale can be an opportunity....real estate should be viewed as an investment that grows.
1. A task force should be put together to review all that is good about the borough, a PR firm should be consulted with, and a campaign undertaken.
2. Lower taxes a few mils in the process to make a statement - it could be done.
3. Be pro-active and aggressive, there are many, many great things about the borough that are attractive, I can think of about ten right off the top on my head.
The new shopping center (as I recall reading) started with a "planning task force". A plan was developed. Brentwood Council invested $$ in it, a developer was identified, and the center was built. It's not rocket science... you folks can do it.
I READ RECENTLY IN THE SHR THAT THE BRENTWOOD BUSINESS ASSOSICATION HAD "WORKED HARD TO GET A GRANT" FROM THE STATE AND THAT OUR STATE SENATOR HAD "ASSISTED" - GIVE ME A BREAK!
BRENTWOOD HAS TO UNDERSTAND THAT "ANY" MONEY THAT COMES ITS WAY FROM THE STATE COMES DIRECTLY "BECAUSE" OF OUR LEGISLATORS - READSHAW AND FONTANA.
IF THESE GUYS DON'T GET ANY RECOGNITION AND SOMEONE WHO FILLS OUT SOME PAPERWORK TAKES CREDIT FOR IT - FORGET ABOUT MONEY COMING IN THE FUTURE...THESE TWO SHOULD BE TREATED LIKE HEROS IF WE WANT CONTINUED STATE SUPPORT. INVITE THEM TO COUNCIL MEETINGS AND THANK THEM PUBLICLY.
AND WHY IN THE WORLD RALPH KAISER WASN'T APPOINTED TO ONE OF THE OPEN COUNCIL SEATS IS COMPLETE AND UTTER FOLLY! HERE IS A GUY WHO WAS ABLE TO GET $1,000,000 FOR BRENTWOOD AND NO ONE PAYS ANY ATTENTION TO HIM...TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HIS EXPERIENCE BRENTWOOD!
BRENTWOOD SHOULD HAVE RALPH AS PRESIDENT OF COUNCIL.
Wesley, Wesley, reveal yourself!!! YOU need to run for council.....hell, run for MAYOR.
Ralph Kaiser really kept Brentwood afloat when little else was being done. I agree with EVERYTHING you've said.
The only other suggestion I would have, and this is a different issue, is that Brentwood and Whitehall declare "eminent domain" over dilapidated buildings/sections on Rt. 51. That would be the end and the new beginning for the corridor. Why haven't they done that? Recent laws have made it easier than ever, I'm guessing to keep that kind of blight at bay.
Thank you for the wonderful, intelligent conversation.
YOU'RE RIGHT ON THE MONEY W.S. AS I RECALL AT THE TIME THE COUNTY WAS ALL SET TO DO IT AND THEN JIM RODDEY WAS ELECTED AND PUT A STOP TO THE PROCESS.
I BELIEVE THAT THE DEVELOPER THAT DID THE NEW CENTER HAD A PLAN DRAWN UP TO CONTINUE TO BUILD DOWN RT. 51, DOING AWAY WITH ALL OF THE BLIGHT.
THE COUNTY WOULD HAVE TO BE ENGAGED AGAIN...THE PERSON IN CHARGE UNDER ONORATO IS NAMED DENNIS DAVIN - REAL NICE GUY. BUT IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN THE LAWS ARE DIFFERENT NOW AND IT MAY BE MORE DIFFICULT TO DO. BUT I'M CONFIDENT THAT WITH THE RIGHT LEADERSHIP IT COULD BE PULLED OFF AGAIN.
I don't know if I'd vote for him. His posts are all in caps.
Well little girl, you must understand that on sites like these all of the readers can't always see the print...
and then there are others that must read large print and short sentences to understand your point...
you obviously aren't in either category...and don't worry about voting or not voting for me...thanks.
Wesley, we were having intelligent, adult conversation regarding issues of interest, and then comes along.....rabid girl??? lol
I say we disregard the riff-raff and move on.
SOME FOLKS JUST CAN'T HELP THEMSELVES.
THIS HAS REALLY BEEN A GREAT EXCHANGE OF IDEAS, AND I AM HUMBLED BY THE FACT THAT YOU THINK THAT I SHOULD RUN FOR OFFICE, BUT WE HAVE A COUNCIL AND A NEW ELECTION IS SOON TO TAKE PLACE.
I JUST HOPE THE POWERS THAT BE (AND WILL BE) ARE HUMBLE ENOUGH TO READ OUR CONVERSATION AND POSSIBLY TAKE SOME OF OUR CONCERNS, THOUGHTS, AND IDEAS TO HEART.
YOU'RE THE BEST WEDDING SINGER, THANKS FOR THE WONDERFUL DIALOG!
BEST REGARDS.
All these other great ideas are miniscule compared to the gigantic problem of unbridled school taxes.
First: The underlying problem with property taxation is the way Pennsylvania structures the School Taxes. Despite legally being a State Agency, school districts derive their taxes largely from local districts in a hodge-podge and discriminatory way. This is unlike most other State taxes which are derived from an at-large tax pool (income, license fees, etc). Furthermore, in terms of running the school system as a State agency, these tax funds should be derived by an at-large tax that is put into the general fund, not through discriminatory taxation at a local level.
Second: Unlike Boroughs, Townships, and Cities, School Districts have no statutory limit on the amount of taxes they can raise. If they want a $3,000,000 gym, they get it. If they want to give $100,000 salaries with full benefits, insurance, overtime and retirement to people who work 185 days a year, they get it. It's like having a credit card with no limit. That's what they think living in their isolated academic bubble.
Third: as in state-subsidized building projects, local funding increases should be sent to Harrisburg, not arbitrarily raised due to the local whims of the day.
Fourth: Local school boards have very little power to do anything but RAISE taxes. For instance, in Collective Bargaining, the local communities negotiating power is disproportionally diluted when compared to the combined power of the state-wide teachers union.
How can 9 part-time people with real "day jobs" go up against the mob of thousands of teachers in a powerful union that negotiates contracts full-time EVERY DAY. Again, the State should be charged with negotiating and settling wages of the teachers, who are actually employees of a State Agency. And strikes should be outlawed, punishable with firing or jail. They are "professionals", aren't they?
If you own a house worth $100,000 in Allegheny County, this is what you will pay.
This list is derived directly from School District, Local Municipality, and County Real Estate Taxes.
NOTE Brentwood is Third from the top in the most heavily taxed communities.
BTW: Here's Cranberry $1420
Wilkinsburg Borough $5,369
Rankin Borough $4,239
Brentwood Borough $4,146
City of Clairton $4,141
East Pittsburgh Borough $4,074
Dormont Borough $4,000
Rosslyn Farms Borough $3,934
Braddock Borough $3,929
Baldwin Township $3,780
McKees Rocks Borough $3,769
Swissvale Borough $3,769
North Braddock Borough $3,759
Forest Hills Borough $3,694
Stowe Township $3,694
Carnegie Borough $3,654
Avalon Borough $3,644
Millvale Borough $3,644
East McKeesport Borough $3,633
Wall Borough $3,623
Turtle Creek Borough $3,609
Coraopolis Borough $3,608
Wilmerding Borough $3,603
Baldwin Borough $3,591
North Versailles Township $3,573
Braddock Hills Borough $3,559
Chalfant Borough $3,549
Etna Borough $3,544
Edgewood Borough $3,525
Bellevue Borough $3,519
Whitehall Borough $3,480
Crafton Borough $3,434
Whitaker Borough $3,421
Elizabeth Borough $3,405
Castle Shannon Borough $3,390
Harrison Township $3,390
Brackenridge Borough $3,389
Tarentum Borough $3,388
Verona Borough $3,388
Homestead Borough $3,361
Blawnox Borough $3,350
Mount Lebanon $3,322
South Park Township $3,299
Reserve Township $3,293
West Homestead Borough $3,292
Penn Hills Township $3,268
Churchill Borough $3,259
Heidelberg Borough $3,251
Leetsdale Borough $3,214
Mount Oliver Borough $3,211
Wilkins Township $3,210
West Mifflin Borough $3,205
Fawn Township $3,190
Shaler Township $3,174
Springdale Borough $3,169
East Deer Township $3,159
Munhall Borough $3,136
Oakmont Borough $3,135
Pleasant Hills Borough $3,129
Cheswick Borough $3,119
Springdale Township $3,089
Sharpsburg Borough $3,076
West Elizabeth Borough $3,068
Glassport Borough $3,050
Ingram Borough $3,049
Elizabeth Township*** $3,048
Green Tree Borough $3,035
Sewickley Borough $3,034
Neville Township $3,033
Jefferson Borough $3,031
Crescent Township $3,030
Plum Borough $3,019
Leet Township $3,004
South Fayette Township $2,988
Pitcairn Borough $2,985
Upper St. Clair Township $2,974
Harmar Township $2,945
City of Pittsburgh $2,941
West Deer Township $2,940
Bethel Park $2,937
Frazer Township $2,924
Lincoln Borough $2,920
Oakdale Borough $2,919
North Fayette Township $2,909
Aleppo Township $2,904
Haysville Borough $2,904
Aspinwall Borough $2,901
Scott Township $2,901
Forward Township $2,900
Edgeworth Borough $2,894
Pennsbury Village $2,889
West View Borough $2,887
Bridgeville Borough $2,876
Osborne Borough $2,864
Ben Avon Borough $2,856
Thornburg Borough $2,849
Versailles Borough $2,840
Kilbuck Township $2,839
Findlay Township $2,814
Bell Acres Borough $2,804
Port Vue Borough $2,801
Emsworth Borough $2,789
Dravosburg Borough $2,772
Glenfield Borough $2,769
Richland Township $2,764
Collier Township $2,751
Hampton Township $2,739
Sewickley Heights Borough $2,729
Liberty Borough $2,720
Moon Township $2,708
South Versailles Township $2,660
White Oak Borough $2,656
Indiana Township $2,651
Monroeville Borough $2,630
Bradford Woods Borough $2,614
Marshall Township $2,611
Pine Township $2,609
O'Hara Township $2,596
McCandless Township $2,591
Fox Chapel Borough $2,576
Franklin Park Borough $2,570
Ohio Township $2,564
Robinson Township $2,564
Ross Township $2,516
Sewickley Hills Borough $2,489
Ben Avon Heights Borough $2,439
Kennedy Township $2,434