Newtown Township will be keeping the tax rate steady in the new year.
The proposed budget is for $16.3 million and was approved earlier this month by the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors.
After a tax increase for 2024, the millage rate will stay steady at 13.115 mills, which means an annual tax bill of $511.10 based on a house with an average assessment.
The budget includes an additional $790,000 for the fire protection fund.
The positive outlook is largely due to a carryover from the 2024 fund balance, Supervisors Chairperson Dennis Fisher said.
Among the capital projects for 2025 are new police vehicles, mowers and a trailer for public works, road repaving, a new support vehicle, and a building study for the emergency services department.
The budget also proposes salary increases for some management positions to remain competitive in the current job market, officials have previously said.
Supervisor John Mack noted that some employees were getting a 9 percent pay increase over 2024.
Township Manager Micah Lewis said earlier this fall that pay increases were needed because of the competitive job market.
Resident Frank McCarran asked the supervisors to consider using the additional fire funds to extend paid firefighter coverage.
The emergency services office, which runs the career fire department, will have its funding structure changed due to recent state legislation. The Pennsylvania General Assembly passed an amendment to the Second Class Township Code allowing up to 10 mills to be allocated for fire and emergency services.
In response, Newtown Township will move all fire department revenues and expenditures to a separate fire fund.
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