First Tax Hike In 30 Years Proposed By Falls Township For Fire Costs

FALLS TOWNSHIP, PA —Falls Township residents may be paying more in taxes for the first time in three decades.

The Falls Township Supervisors introduced a preliminary 2023 budget at Monday night’s meeting that would raise taxes by $52.50 for fire protection next year for the average township home. The tax hike comes along with a proposed earned income tax as well.

The community can review the budget from Nov. 30 through Dec. 19. The 2023 budget will be considered for adoption during the supervisors’ Dec. 19 meeting.

The proposed measure would help fund the township’s three fire departments with supervisors proposing to institute a boost in the fire tax fund for 2023.

The preliminary 2023 budget would increase the existing 7.22 millage rate to 8.97 mills, marking the first municipal tax increase since 1992.

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

“We’re well within the limits of that tax,” Finance Director Betsy Reukauf told the board. “The fire companies need our help.”

At the rate of 3 mills, the owner of a Falls home assessed at the township average of $30,000 would pay an additional $52.50 per year for the fire protection fund. In all, the owner of a home assessed at the township average would pay a total of $90 annually for fire service.

The fire protection fund provides financial support for Falls Township Fire Co., Fairless Hills Fire Department and Levittown Fire Co.

If adopted as proposed, property owners would pay $269.10 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.

Like most municipalities dealing with inflation and higher costs, Falls Township officials have had to do more with less.

For every $1 paid in taxes, Falls Township receives just 3.5 cents.

Yet, over the past 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.