The preliminary 2027 Newtown Township budget must be advertised - made available to the public - for 20 days before adoption. At the 14 October 2026 Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting, I urged the Board to advertise the budget on October 28, allowing residents more time to review the proposal and participate in the discussion (the 2026 budget was made public on October 22, 2025).

Unfortunately, at the October 28, 2026, BOS meeting, the vote was 3-2 AGAINST advertising the budget! Supervisors Snyder, Merriman, and Merk voted NAY, Calabro and Davis voted YEA. Now, the earliest that the budget will be available for public viewing is 11 November - a day after the 10 November BOS meeting, where - presumably - the BOS WILL APPROVE TO MAKE IT PUBLIC! Hopefully, the scheduled November 16 BOS WORK SESSION will be devoted to public discussion of the budget, unless that session is canceled as was the fate of all but one WS this year!

Local government is where abstract fiscal policy collides directly with daily human life.

During this meeting of the Newtown Township PA Board of Supervisors (BOS) elected officials debated the upcoming/preliminary 2027 budget, community safety concerns, and employee compensation.

Discussions focused on balancing the general fund reserves while funding essential public services like the fire department and road maintenance. Residents also voiced concerns regarding pedestrian safety near local intersections and transparency surrounding the proposed financial plans.

Additionally, the board addressed zoning applications, intergovernmental agreements, and departmental reports from emergency services.

The proposed 2027 draft budget for Newtown Township includes a tax rate increase of approximately 2.6 mills, raising municipal taxes by roughly $103 annually for a typical residential property.

Township manager Micah Lewis explained that this adjustment is primarily driven by a three-mill increase for fire protection and capital investments, which reaches the maximum limit permitted under state regulations.

While the general fund remains steady for now, overall revenues are anticipated to reach $19.1 million alongside specific funding for capital improvements, parks, and local road repairs. These investments encompass architectural plans for public safety facilities, new police vehicles, park equipment upgrades, and infrastructure maintenance.

However, Supervisor Phil Calabro has publicly disagreed with the administration's approach, arguing that the township's substantial financial reserve should be utilized instead to prevent any tax hike for residents.

Newtown Township's October 14, 2026 Bills List includes $1,058,220.77 in disbursements, with the overwhelming majority concentrated in pension obligations, employee health insurance, fire protection, and fuel purchases.

The single largest payment is $592,907.70 to the Newtown Township Police Pension Fund, representing approximately 56% of the entire Bills List. The Delaware Valley Health Insurance Trust (DVHIT) follows with $151,882.88 for employee health insurance across township departments.

Newtown Township faced a tight 18-month deadline to obligate approximately $133,000 in opioid settlement funds (which grew to the final $167,240.04 disbursement in September 2026). Ultimately, the Board of Supervisors voted on June 24, 2026, to approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to transfer these funds to Bucks County, because the township lacked the healthcare infrastructure to run drug rehabilitation and treatment programs locally. In exchange, the county committed to supporting the continuation of its co-responder program, which embeds social workers within the local police force to handle emergency substance abuse and mental health calls.

Key Financial Takeaway: In 2024, Chandler Hall reported approximately $20.1 million in revenue, $21.4 million in expenses, and a $1.27 million operating deficit.

Back on 28 April, 2026, Chandler Hall issued a disclosure statement that provides an overview of Chandler Hall Health Services, Inc., a non-profit continuing care retirement community located in Newtown, Pennsylvania.

Recall that a for-profit LLC is currently in the process of purchasing Chandler Hall. For more on that, read my Newtown Patch article: "Chandler Hall Sale Q&A Town Hall".

The report serves as a formal regulatory filing under state law, ensuring transparency regarding the organization’s management, affiliations, and reserve funding.

In 2026 I began using AI (e.g., Gemini) to analyze #NewtownPA Township's biweekly bills list. Part of that analysis was the creation of infographics to summarize where the mony went. You can find many of my AI-generated infographics regarding township finances here... 

I decided to feed all the 2026 Bills List Infographics to Gemini and ask it to create a short video overview. The current 7-minute video was the result. Enjoy!

This "Deep Dive" podcast analyzes the Newtown Township Treasurer’s Report for the period ending March 31, 2026.

This comprehensive financial summary details the allocation of over $11 million in combined cash across various municipal accounts, including the General Fund, Fire Protection, and Capital Projects. The reports include detailed balance sheets that list local assets and liabilities alongside budgetary comparisons for both revenues and expenditures.

Key data points highlight the township's primary income sources, such as real estate and enabling act taxes, while tracking operational costs for public safety, public works, and administrative services. Ultimately, these records offer a transparent view of the township’s fiscal health and spending efficiency through the first quarter of the 2026 fiscal year.

[From johnmacknewtown.info,  22 June 2026]

Transparency is the lifeblood of civic health, and every three months, the Newtown Township Treasurer’s Report offers residents a rare chance to look under the municipal hood. While the spreadsheets might be dry, the story they tell is anything but. These documents represent the most honest narrative of a community's priorities, showing exactly where tax dollars are flowing versus where they were intended to go.

The most recent report, covering the period ending March 31, 2026, marks the completion of the first quarter. With exactly 25% of the fiscal year elapsed, we can now evaluate the Township’s financial performance. In several key areas, the first 90 days of the year have already pushed the 2026 budget to its breaking point.

Read more...

This video presents a comprehensive summary of expenditures for Newtown Township, scheduled for approval by the Board of Supervisors (BOS) on May 27, 2026. This action is part of the controversial "Consent Agenda" during which several items are approved with just one vote and no discussion. Thus, the need for this video produced with the help of AI for the images and soundtrack.

The list categorizes financial obligations into three primary areas: the General Fund, the Fire Protection Fund, and the Escrow Fund. These records detail payments for municipal services, including police department training, road maintenance, park upgrades, and emergency services equipment. Additionally, the list includes reimbursements for community programs and professional fees for engineering and legal consultations.

The total amount allocated across all funds reaches $145,733.15, reflecting the township's operational costs over a two-week period.

The official April 22, 2026, Bills List for Newtown Township details financial expenditures and fund transfers that will come up for approval by the Board of Supervisors (BOS) on April 22, 2026.

This summary serves as a comprehensive record of the township’s operational and administrative costs during a two-week period in Aprill.

It outlines a total spending of $421,944.33 distributed across various accounts, including the General Fund, Fire Protection Fund, and Capital Projects. Major costs include municipal insurance premiums, legal and engineering services, and infrastructure maintenance such as traffic signal repairs and fuel purchases.

What the Newtown Fire Services Deal Reveals About the Rising Cost of Safety

After months of tense negotiations, Newtown Township approved a $275,000 fire services agreement with Newtown Borough for the remainder of 2026. At first glance, the number appears to represent a meaningful reduction from the Township’s earlier $350,000 annual position. But when you break it down month-by-month, the “discount” largely disappears.

The $275,000 covers only 9–10 months of service (March–December). Prorated, that works out to roughly $27,500–$30,500 per month—very close to the Township’s prior monthly equivalent under a $350,000 annual figure. In other words, the headline number is smaller, but the underlying cost structure remains largely unchanged.

The broader issue goes beyond 2026. As volunteer firefighting continues to decline and professional staffing becomes the norm, fire protection is evolving into one of the largest and fastest-growing municipal expenses. Township taxpayers are already absorbing a significant millage increase to fund that transition, while questions remain about how costs should be fairly allocated between the Township and Borough.

Looking ahead to 2027, leaders have signaled a push toward a more formula-driven, proportional cost-sharing model—potentially based on factors such as population, assessed value, and call volume—to determine each municipality’s “fair share.”

The immediate crisis may be resolved. The long-term financial debate is just beginning.

Deciphering the $470,000 Heartbeat of Newtown Township

The provided document is a comprehensive bills list for Newtown Township, detailing financial obligations and expenditures scheduled for February 11, 2026. It categorizes payments across several specific accounts, including the General Fund, Fire Protection Fund, Capital Projects Fund, and Highway Aid Fund.

The records outline costs for municipal services such as police training, public works vehicle maintenance, and winter road salt supplies. Additionally, the text tracks fund transfers intended for payroll benefits and capital improvements.

This itemized breakdown serves as an official ledger of the township's operational costs and vendor payments for the early 2026 period. The total combined expenditure across all featured accounts amounts to $470,312.91.

Read the details here...

Listen to this 16-minute "Deep Dive" Podcast...

At the January 28, 2026, Newtown Township Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting, supervisors approved $283,438.19 in total checks and transfers. The largest share came from the General Fund ($194K), with additional spending across fire protection, hydrants, highway aid, escrow, and capital projects.

This item was approved as part of the contentious "Consent Agenda" WITHOUT comment!

Key cost drivers this cycle included professional engineering and legal services, utilities (street lights and fire hydrants), and winter operations such as snow plowing and road salt. Police and DPW vehicle repairs were also significant, along with advance deposits for 2026 Adventure Camp recreation programs.

Overall, the bills list reflects seasonal winter costs, steady infrastructure expenses, and ongoing planning for capital projects like the Newtown Creek pedestrian crossing, while escrow-funded reviews helped offset private development costs.

Top takeaways:

• Newtown–Yardley Road sidewalk: the project has been approved for a $750,000 grant and would replace the existing path with a concrete sidewalk and curb for safety.
• Liberty Center (Borough): discussion touched on a multi-story apartment and plaza concept, with interest in accelerating the project.
• Open government & process: discussion included signage enforcement challenges and concerns about a Consent Agenda limiting transparency if not used carefully.
• Budget transparency: residents raised concerns about missing monthly reports and the need for clearer budget tracking and oversight.

This "Deep Dive" podcast summarize a "Meet Mack Monday" community meeting held in January 2026 to discuss various infrastructure and governance issues in Newtown Township.

Participants expressed significant concerns over budget transparency, specifically noting the absence of monthly treasurer reports and the potential for deficit spending. The discussion also addressed the controversial use of consent agendas, which some residents believe limits public oversight on expensive items like police vehicles*.

Attendees advocated for a more open government to ensure better communication between the Board of Supervisors and the local community.

Key highlights include the approval of a $750,000 grant for a sidewalk project on Newtown-Yardley Road and updates regarding the proposed Liberty Center development in Newtown Borough.

Additionally, the meeting touched on environmental proposals such as a proposed gas leaf blower ban and the search for locations for new police and fire stations.

Where do local tax dollars actually go? A close look at Newtown Township’s 2025 Bills Lists pulls back the curtain on spending details residents rarely see unless they file a Right-to-Know request. The review highlights six eye-opening categories—from massive, long-term obligations like police pensions and road programs to the everyday costs of keeping municipal operations running—offering a clearer picture of the township’s real financial priorities.

Beyond six-figure payments for engineering, legal, and utility services, the analysis also surfaces smaller but telling line items: recreation programs, community events, employee support gestures, and even pizza for meetings. Together, these expenses tell a broader story about transparency, accountability, and why routine public access to Bills Lists matters if residents are to fully understand—and weigh in on—how their tax dollars are spent.

The financial statements of Newtown Township for the year ended December 31, 2024, were audited by the firm Maillie LLP. The findings and context of this audit are crucial for understanding the reliability of the financial data.

The audit process identified risks of management override and improper revenue recognition for planning purposes and noted a material weakness in a separate communication to the Board of Supervisors. Specifically, the auditors noted that Newtown Township did not consistently record revenues in the proper accounting period. Specifically, certain revenues related to intergovernmental grants and charges for services were recorded in the incorrect fiscal year.

Newtown Township’s 2026 Proposed Budget outlines a balanced yet cautious financial plan — addressing rising costs and public safety needs while keeping taxes regionally competitive. The $16.9M budget uses part of the Township’s fund balance to offset a $3.2M deficit, maintaining reserves above policy limits.

A 4-mill real estate tax increase—3 mills for fire protection and 1 for the rescue squad—will strengthen emergency services and prepare for future staffing needs. Even with this adjustment, Newtown’s tax burden remains among the lowest in Bucks County, reflecting a fiscally responsible path forward.

Read more details here...

TD Bank Closing Dozens Of Locations, Including 3 In PA - Across Pennsylvania, PA - These locations will be closed as of early June as the company seeks to re-evaluate its network of branches.

This announcement also comes after the bank pleaded guilty in a federal money laundering scheme and agreed to a $3 billion fine back in October — making it the first national bank to do so.

Meanwhile, at the 12 March 2025 BOS meeting, the supervisors voted 5-0 to switch Newtown's banking provider to Penn Community Bank.

The Township intends to award the contract for banking services to the banking institution that submits the highest quality proposal, including technical support for computerized cash management reporting and services. In determining the highest quality proposal, the Township will evaluate the following criteria:

1. Cost and flexibility of proposal
2. Interest earnings for Newtown Township
3. Banking services
4. Banking reporting to the Township
5. Banking institution’s creditworthiness
6. References of other municipal clients
7. Location of banking institution’s banking branches in relation to the Township’s offices

Get the details here...

Just in time for Halloween on 27 October 2024, the “scary” Proposed 2025 #NewtownPA Budget was “hung” (i.e., advertised in the Bucks County Courier Times).

What makes the budget scary is the “budgetary maneuvering” of fund transfers, the terrible formatting, which makes it difficult to read and compare with previous budgets, the declining revenue and increasing deficit, the explicitly-stated need for increased taxes, and the double-digit salary increases! All this was already documented in comments made by residents. This article discusses some of these questions that need answers and some suggestions for changes.

More...

Newtown Township provides substantial financial support to the Association. Newtown Township levies, collects and remits a portion of .875 mills of real estate taxes to the Association. During the year ended December 31, 2021 , Newtown Township remitted real estate taxes of $160,000 to the Association. Because of the significance of the Association's financial relationship with Newtown Township, the Association is considered to be a component unit of Newtown Township for Newtown Township's financial reporting purposes. Other primary sources of revenue and support are donations from the general public and investment income.

Download the report...

Newtown Township is now accepting applications for a full-time Finance Director. Applicants should possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or a related field. A minimum of 5 years of experience in finance or accounting is required, preferably in a municipal setting, and a minimum 1 year of supervisory experience.

Applicants should possess strong accounting, management and communication skills.

The annual salary for the position is $85,000-$95,000 DOQ, with excellent benefits. The position is an exempt position (non-union).

Applicants must possess a valid driver’s license, and successfully pass a background and criminal history clearance, and physical exam.

A full job description is available online at www.newtownpa.gov.

Please submit a resume, cover letter and contact information for three professional references by October 22, 2021. Applications can be submitted in person to the Newtown Administration Office, by US Mail, by email at oliviak@newtownpa.gov, or by fax to 215-968-5368.

This lesson will show you how to access important township financial information on the Newtown Township website. It specifically will focus on how to find Bills Lists and Treasurer’s Reports on the Newtown Township's website and how to analyze the data for useful insights.

There’s lots of interesting financial information available such as the approved annual budgets, financial statements – which are yearly audits - and monthly treasurer’s reports, etc. These are high-level data, but not data about who gets paid for what. That's the kind of information found in Bills Lists.

The Treasurer’s Report gives you expenditure information to-date for each department such as the Police Department and compares that with the total yearly expenditure planned for by the budget.

View Lesson #2...