Falls Township Plans to Hold Line on 2024 Taxes

FALLS TOWNSHIP, PA —Falls Township is expected to maintain its current municipal tax rate in 2024 if it's municipal budget is approved as it was introduced.

At its recent meeting, the Falls Supervisors introduced a preliminary 2024 budget that would hold the line on the current 8.97 millage rate.

Under the tentative spending plan, property owners would continue to pay $269.10 for an average
assessment of $30,000 under the township’s 2024 budget.

The owner of the average Bristol Township property, by comparison, paid $1,069.40 in local taxes for 2023.

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

Even with keeping taxes flat, the township is planning several upgrades in 2024. ''

Falls has earmarked $500,000 to construct a new playground with wheelchair accessibility at Falls Township Community Park Phase II.

The equipment, which is geared for youth ages 2 to 12, will replace the existing playground and
will allow for all children to play, particularly those with disabilities, as well as autistic children.

The 2024 budget also includes a new Falls Cares blight remediation program.

Next year’s budget allocates $34.7 million for the design and construction of an expanded and
renovated municipal campus, which is expected to be completed in December 2024.

It also allocates $2.4 million for the continuation of the annual road improvement program; including funds to cover several culvert replacement projects and drainage projects.

In addition, the township plans to spend $470,000 on four new police vehicles, computer equipment, firearms training, and supplies; and $469,700 to replace seven aging pieces of equipment in the Public Works Department.

For every $1 paid in taxes, Falls Township receives just 4 cents. Yet, year after year the township sees spiraling pension contribution increases.

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 nearly $3 million projected for next year, all while the state contributions have remained relatively flat.

The township’s Earned Income Tax, which was enacted on Jan. 1, is expected to contribute $7 million to the township’s general fund in 2024.

In all, $78,821,601 is projected to be spent in 2024.

The community can review the budget through Dec. 19 at the township building, at
Fallsington Library, as well as on the township website at www.fallstwp.com (under the finance
department section of the site).

The 2024 budget will be considered for adoption during the Supervisors’ Dec. 19 meeting.