Falls Budget Would Hold Line On Property Taxes

FALLS TOWNSHIP, PA — For the 26th year in a row, political leaders in Falls Township are planning to hold the line on property taxes. On Tuesday, the township's Board of Supervisors voted to introduce an annual budget that would keep municipal taxes at the same rate they've been since Bill Clinton was president.

If adopted as proposed, the 2019 spending plan would cost about $33.9 million, funded by a millage rate of 7.22. Property owners would continue paying $216.60 for an average assessment of $30,000 under the township’s proposed budget. The owner of the average Bristol Township property, by comparison, pays $1,036.40 in local taxes, Falls Township officials said.

Falls also offers township services, including free trash and leaf pickup, without an Earned Income Tax, which many other towns have implemented. Of the local taxes collected from its residents, Falls Township receives less than four cents from every dollar.

Pennsbury School District collects about 84.1 percent of that dollar and Bucks County receives more than 12 percent, township officials said.

Even with a flat municipal tax rate, Falls Supervisors are planning several projects for 2019, including $2.8 million for construction and engineering as part of the annual road program. The spending plan also includes an in-house mill and overlay project for Gobles Court.

Intersection improvements at Levittown and Mill Creek parkways and West Trenton and Allendale avenues budgeted at $244,000 are planned as part of a PennDOT matching fund grant.

Continued tree trimming, and removal of the highly destructive and invasive emerald ash borer is
planned for next year as well. Upgrades, including a pavilion, are planned for Pinewood Pool. The budget also allots $101,000 to resurface and make additional improvements to the hockey rink at Falls Township Community Park.

Police vehicles, computer equipment and firearms purchases earmarked at $470,000 are also included in the 2019 budget. The Public Works department is looking to replace three vehicles used for road work and snow plowing at an estimated cost of $198,093. An emergency generator with enough energy to power the municipal building in the event of a power outage is also included in the budget.

The proposed budget will be advertised on Nov. 26. From there, it will be available for public inspection and discussion through Dec. 18. The Falls Supervisors will consider adoption of the 2019 budget at their Dec. 18 Board of Supervisors meeting, which will be held at the municipal building, 188 Lincoln Highway in Fairless Hills, beginning at 7 p.m.

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