$800 Tax Refund For Firefighters In Neshaminy School District

LANGHORNE, PA —In an effort to entice firefighter recruitment and retention, the Neshaminy School District is now providing an $800 real estate tax refund.

The school district is one of the first in Bucks County to enact such a measure, school officials said.

At its recent meeting, the Neshaminy School Board unanimously approved the tax refund that drew applause from the group of volunteer firefighters from the Feasterville and Langhorne-Middletown fire companies in attendance.

"You are one of the first school districts to provide this," said Steve Link, president of the Langhorne-Middletown Fire Co. "This is something you should be very proud of. Volunteer firefighters are few and far in between. Anything is appreciated."

The Real Estate Property Tax Credit for Volunteers resolution provides a tax credit of up to $800 per year for fire company volunteers and fire police who live within the Neshaminy School District and meet certain criteria.

The criteria include serving as an active member for at least a year and responding to at least 25 percent of the company's fire calls during that time, Board member Cyndie Bowman said before the vote at last Tuesday's meeting. Members must pay taxes within the school district.

Bowman said that a state law went into effect to provide retention and recruitment incentives for volunteer firefighters. She said the law was discussed in recent school district business operations meetings.

"We appreciate your dedication to the safety and commitment of our schools," she said. "This is a great program."

David Williams, president of the Feasterville Fire Co., appeared before the school board during public comment to praise members for bringing the initiative to the table.

"Maintaining membership is more and more challenging," Williams said.