Credit: David Hunt/NewtownPANow.com
Newtown Township will raise taxes to cover fire safety costs and reduce debt payments.
On Wednesday evening, the supervisors voted 4-1 to approve a $16 million budget that will fund township operations in 2024.
The budget includes two mill tax increase for the fire protection fund and an additional one-mill hike to reduce debt service costs.
The municipal tax bill will increase to $511 for properties for average assessment. The millage rate will go from 10.115 to 13.115.
Previously, Township Manager Micah Lewis told the supervisors and public that the township’s 2024 tax millage rate of 13.115 is lower than those of Northampton Township, Middletown Township, Doylestown Township, and Warrington Township.
The township will receive the majority of its 2024 revenue from the earned income tax (EIT).
The township plans to have 11.1 percent of the total value of the budget in fund balance, which is higher than the 10 percent the township strives to have in the bank, Supervisors Chairman Dennis Fisher said.
The two mill tax increase for the fire fund will go toward a $250,000 contribution to fire service and also pay for future capital costs, including a future planned purchase of a new fire engine.
The one mill debt service tax increase will help pay for the township’s efforts to convert the streetlights to LEDs. It will also fund a pedestrian safety upgrade at the crosswalk on Newtown-Yardley Road at Tara Boulevard.
The township plans to have 78 full-time employees by the end of 2024, a slight increase over 2023, Lewis said.
It was noted that a previously announced federal grant will help cover the cost of four new firefighters to expand the paid fire service. The police department also plans to add an additional full-time officer.
The township also plans to put more than $1 million to repave several miles of municipal roadways.
