The Eldred Township supervisors approved the 2023 budget Wednesday night. The budget includes a tax increase of .25 mils, taking the rate from 1.9 mills last year to 2.25 mills this year.

The increase is needed in order to help make up for a deficit in the general fund budget.

In other township business, the supervisors approved giving the Public Works Department supervisor, Jonathan Gula, the authority to sign for items the supervisors have already approved.

They also approved getting a Wex Fleet fuel card for the Public Works Department in case an emergency situation arises where they need fuel and are unable to get it from the township’s tanks or are out of fuel.

The supervisors also approved paying the $75,000 down payment on a backhoe. The township already has possession of the backhoe.

The purchase was approved in November, and the cost has been incorporated into the budget. The total cost is $146,000.

Gula told the supervisors that his department has calibrated the spreaders on the trucks. He said it takes about 1,000 pounds of anti-skid and salt to treat one mile of roadway. They use 500 pounds of anti-skid and 500 pounds of salt per mile.

“The one-to-one mix seems to be working,” he said. “We’re putting the anti-skid down, so we’re gaining traction. The salt is working to melt.”

Gula asked the supervisors if he could place some items the township no longer needs on Municibid. The items include incandescent light bulbs and wooden doors. Gula thinks there is about $1,000 worth of items that could be sold. The supervisors approved of using Municibid to sell the items.

Township secretary Ann Velopolcek said the Parks Committee would like to apply for a $500 One for Nature Grant. They want to purchase three Eastern Red Cedar trees to create a natural screen in the Village Center. Each tree costs about $130.

The grant does not require any match from the township, but it does require that only trees native to Pennsylvania are planted. The supervisors approved the committee to apply for the grant.