$1 A Week Tax Hike to Fund Falls Township Fire Departments Approved

FALLS TOWNSHIP, PA —After holding the line on taxes since 1992, the Falls Township Supervisors approved a minimal tax increase for 2023.

The board, at its last meeting of the year, adopted the 2023 spending plan, which allocates additional funds for Falls Township’s three fire departments, Falls Township Fire Co., Fairless Hills Fire Department, and the Levittown Fire Company.

The nominal boost in the fire tax fund – which raises the 7.22 millage rate to 8.97 mills – is the
first time in 30 years that Falls Township increased municipal taxes.

As adopted, the current fire protection tax rate of 1.75 mills will rise to 3 mills. In 1994, Falls Township voters approved a referendum to allow fire protection tax of up to 5 mills.

The owner of a township home assessed at the township average of $30,000 would pay an additional $52.50 per year for the fire protection fund, bringing that to $90 annually for fire service.

In all, property owners would pay $269.10 in municipal taxes for an average assessment of $30,000 under the township’s 2023 budget.

Unlike neighboring communities, Falls residents are not assessed for trash and leaf pickup.

For every $1 paid in taxes, Falls Township receives just 3.5 cents. Yet, over the last decade, the township has seen its pension obligation nearly triple.

Pension contributions surged from $1.3 million in 2012 to $2.6 million in 2017, with more than $3.5 million projected for next year, all while the state contributions have remained relatively flat.

The 2023 budget allocates $28 million for the design and construction of an expanded and renovated municipal campus; earmarks $4.6 million for the continuation of the annual road improvement program; and includes funds to cover several culvert replacement projects and drainage projects.

In addition, Falls plans to spend $470,000 on four new police vehicles, computer equipment, firearms training, and supplies. In all, $73,240,677 is projected to be spent in 2023.