In their last meeting of the year, Chestnuthill Township supervisors passed the proposed 2015 budget released in November.

According to the budget, township residents will see a real estate tax increase of 1.25 mills in the new year. The 6.45 mills includes 5.2 mills for the Chestnuthill Township municipal and road budget, 1 mill for the West End Fire Company and 0.25 mills for West End Community Ambulance.The supervisors also passed two special tax resolutions involving the fire department and ambulance company in the West End. According to the Fire Service Appropriations Tax, the special tax on real estate property will not exceed 3 mills. Funds from the tax will be used for purchasing and maintaining fire apparatus, housing the equipment, training fire company personnel and contracting with municipalities or fire companies for fire protection.The EMS Appropriations Tax is capped so that it will not exceed 0.5 mills. According to the resolution, the EMS tax will help support ambulance, rescue and other emergency services in the township.Chestnuthill Township Manager David Albright said, "… both offer critical services to the residents of Chestnuthill Township." He called them a benefit to residents and businesses in the township.The increase in mills will also provide dedicated funding for capital improvement projects, such as an equipment storage building. Albright said the structure would protect the equipment from the weather, which would help it to last longer.