After 30 Years, Municipal Taxes Rising In Bensalem

BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA —The streak is over.

After 30 years, township residents will see a municipal tax increase as a "reluctant" Mayor Joseph DiGirolamo delivered the news but was thankful that a $300 homeowners rebate check will remain intact for 2024.

"This is one of our budgets this year that has given us the most problems with funding," the mayor said. "We're not able to fund the (Parks and Recreation) budget anymore. I'm very reluctant obviously to do this increase, but at the same time extremely pleased that we're going to keep up the $300 rebate to our homeowners. The only difference in our budget would be the increase for all our additional parks that we have now that we haven't before, and all the equipment."

The increase is 1.5 mills.

The council unanimously approved the $67 million 2024 municipal budget at its Dec. 4 special budget meeting. Council President Joseph Pilieri was not in attendance.

DiGirolamo said the parks and recreation budget is separate from the township's general fund.

"We would not be able to go on to do the things that parks and rec need to do," the mayor said. "Reluctantly, to raise a tax is so difficult in these times. I know you all know what's going on with inflation in your own homes. We are getting hit in every department. We;ve done a heck of a job to keep everything else down."

The mayor thanked the council for working together as a team, along with all of the township's department heads.

"The raise the mayor is talking about is not that much, it's $33 a household in totality," Council President Edward Kisselback said. "What it allows us to do is continue what we provide for everyone in the township. We wanted to make sure the raise was fair to businesses and residents. This is the appropriate action."

Kisselback said that the township has 1,400 acres of open space —five times the amount for a township of Bensalem's size that is required by the state — and that it is a myriad of parks, the Bensalem Country Club, Firefighters Field, and Bensalem Community Park.

"We want to make sure that Bensalem maintains its record with its ranking as one of the best places to live for families in the state and nation," Kisselback said.

A resident with the average home assessment paid a $4,490 tax bill in 2023.

Residents paid $337 in municipal taxes, $534 in Bucks County taxes, $93 for fire and rescue services, and $3,525 to the Bensalem Township School District.

"$33 is $33, but I think what we're getting is some amazing improvements to our parks," Councilwoman Stacey Champion said. "Nothing is free. We all have to do our part."