The Tax Squeeze: What Cranberry Homeowners Will Actually Pay After the School Bond

Key Actions & Decisions

• ◆ Seneca Valley 2025-26 millage: 143.85 mills (up 5.53 mills / 4% from 138.32)
• ◆ 2026-27 projected increase: ~5.03 mills (3.5% Act 1 cap)
• ◆ IHS/PAC construction bond: 11.43 mills total (10.93 debt + 0.50 operational), $275M over 20 years through 2046
• ◆ Cranberry Township 2026: 15.75 mills (up 2.5 mills for recreation)
• ◆ Butler County: 27.626 mills (unchanged)
• ◆ Impact on $250K assessed home: ~$3,386/year increase at full build-out ($7,489 → $10,875)
• ◆ Neighboring comparison: Mars 110 mills, Butler ~107 mills, Pine-Richland 19.59 mills (different assessment base)
• ◆ DiTullio's PSERS offset argument: rates projected to drop substantially after 2035 unfunded liability amortization, potentially freeing $9-15M/year
• ◆ PSERS rate: 34.00% (2025-26) → 33.59% (2026-27), declining trend expected to continue
• ◆ Risk: wraparound debt structure back-loads $18.9M/year payments in years 11-20