West Penn Township remains hopeful it can hold the line on taxes.

Supervisors held their initial budget workshop Monday morning to formulate the 2023 spending plan.

The board met with department heads to get a pulse on where their respective budgets stood. Supervisor Tim Houser was absent.

“It’s more of a fact-gathering meeting,” said board Chairman Tony Prudenti.

Township roadmaster Jeremy Frable said his department “definitely can’t cut anything out,” primarily because of fuel and asphalt costs.

“The price of everything (fuel, asphalt) went up so much,” Frable said.

Prudenti said he understood, but stressed he doesn’t want to increase taxes next year.

Frable said the department could use another small dump or pickup truck, which could be ordered in 2023 and deferred until 2024.

Township police Chief James Bonner said his department is on solid footing.

“We’re doing a lot better than we anticipated,” Barron said. “I think we’re really good.”

Supervisors also discussed how much it wanted to contribute toward the township’s fire and ambulance departments.

Prudenti remained steadfast that keeping the tax rate in check is his top priority.

“Please promise me, we’re not going to raise taxes,” he said.

The board will hold its next budget workshop following its Oct. 17 meeting at 10 a.m.

Last December, the board adopted this year’s budget with no tax increase, leaving the tax rate at 4.50 mills.