[Chart shows the property tax millage of local municipalities compared to Newtown were it to adopt the tax increase proposed by Township Manager Micah Lewis. Note that Wrightstown and Upper Makefield - members of the Jointure with Newtown - have significantly lower millage rates.]
An early 2021 budget recommended by township Manager Micah Lewis and presented to supervisors and residents at a recent meeting has a 7.5-mill [actually 7.99-mill] property tax increase, a hike that if eventually approved would almost double municipal real estate taxes in the township.
A 7.5-mill increase would be $281 more in annual taxes for a resident with a property assessed at the township average of $37,459. Total township real estate millage is currently 4.99 [actually 4.5], or $187 [CORRECTION: $168] for the average property owner.
Lewis said the tax increase is in line with recommendations made by Econsult Solutions Inc. in a five-year financial plan for the township, which stated it needs to dramatically increase revenue to keep providing good services to residents and avoid totally depleting its savings account which now stands at about $2.1 million.
In addition to the property tax increase, the recommended budget proposes to add an assistant township manager, three new police officers and a full-time zoning and code enforcement director, probably in the summer of 2021 when sufficient property taxes have been collected.
Supervisor John Mack said a 7.5-mill increase would mean $272 more in taxes on his "modest 35-year-old three-bedroom house."
"I think any tax increase will be a bit more palatable for residents if more of it were spent on road paving and repaving, a No. 1 concern of respondents to a citizens survey," he added. "I would also like to see the hiring of three new police officers spread out over two years as recommended by our consultant. In addition, there should be some discount (on property taxes) for senior citizens on fixed incomes."
The supervisors aided by Lewis and other administrators will continue working on the budget over the next few weeks. The board is scheduled to vote on a preliminary budget at its Nov. 10 meeting, and a final spending plan at the Dec. 9 meeting.
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When it comes to the revenue enhancement, raising taxes is only one way. The proposed budget, however, offers no other sources of revenue in 2021, but includes significantly increased expenditures without significantly improving services like increase road repairs and repaving. You can listen to a 26-minute audio recording of the Manager's budget synopsis here: https://bit.ly/2021RecBudgetPreso
Chairman Phil Calabro said at the start of the recent meeting. "It's not a budget approval. It's not even an official budget. If anyone has seen this, they need not be worried right at this time."
If not now, when?
Join me and other concerned citizens at my next Meet Mack Monday Zoom "town hall" meeting at 7:30 PM on October 26, 2020, with concerned residents: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NGPLVLN