Bristol Township Holds Line On Taxes

BRISTOL TOWNSHIP, PA — Bristol Township's council has approved a $70.3 million budget that keeps property taxes at the same rate for the eighth year in a row.

The unanimous vote, according to a township press release, also holds the line on fees while continuing with necessary capital improvements and other spending.

"This is the eighth municipal budget that I have proposed. Two years, we reduced real estate taxes and the other six years, tax millage rates remained the same," said Township Manager William J. McCauley III. "The greatest accomplishment of this administration has been increasing services while reducing the cost of government and the size of our work force. Quite simply, we have done more with less."

A steady millage rate doesn't necessarily mean that individual tax bills will not go up. If a property's valuation rises, the tax bill on it will rise accordingly, even as the millage rate remains the same.

Under the new budget, the township will invest $2.2 million in gateway beautification in an effort to enhance entrances to Bristol. Another $650,000 is earmarked for blight removal as the township works to condemn and remove abandoned and delapidated structures.

Another $7 million will go toward expansions at the Municipal Park Complex, including new playing fields, a walking trail and a performance space with an amphitheater. Nearly $1.3 million will go toward replacing the Wistar Road Bridge, $7.1 million will pay for a wastewater treatment plant upgrade and related projects.

"Local government has an important role to play in making the lives of all people better and residents will see even more investments to improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods," said council President Craig Bowen.

Bowen said "tough decisions" have had to be made over the past seven years for the township, but that they've made it "one of the greatest comeback stories in Bucks County."

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