New Council Rock Rebate Program Topic Of Information Sessions

NEWTOWN, PA — The Council Rock School District will be giving money back to its senior citizens in 2023-24 who meet certain income eligibility requirements.

Under a newly-approved Property Tax and Rental Rebate Program, approved by the school district in June, property owners making $35,000 or less and renters making $15,000 or less who are enrolled in the Pennsylvania rebate program will be eligible to receive 75 percent off of their school tax bill.

District officials plan to brief the community on its new program during two upcoming community information sessions in Wrightstown and Northampton townships.

The sessions take place on Wednesday, August 9 beginning at 7 p.m. at the Village Library of Wrightstown, 727 Penns Park Rd, Newtown 18940 and Tuesday, August 22 at 3 p.m. at the Northampton Township Senior Center, 165 Township Road, Richboro 18954.

To qualify for the discount, applicants must have a household income of no more than $35,000 annually, and be 65 years of age or older; a widow and/or widower aged 50 years of age or older; or permanently disabled and 18 years of age or older

The district is granting a 75 percent rebate based on certain eligibility requirements and income levels as follows:

• 75 percent (maximum $731.25) annual rebate for Council Rock homeowners and renters with a yearly household income between $0 to $8,000;
• 75 percent (maximum $562.50) annual rebate for Council Rock homeowners and renters with a yearly household income between $8,001 to $15,000;
• 75 percent (maximum $337.50) annual rebate for Council Rock homeowners with a yearly household income between $15,001 to $18,000; and
• 75 percent (maximum $281.25) annual rebate for Council Rock homeowners with a yearly household income between $18,001 to $35,000;
• 75 percent (maximum $487.50) annual rebate for Council Rock renters with a yearly household income between $0 to $8,000; and
• 75 percent (maximum $375) annual rebate for Council Rock renters with a yearly household income between $8,001 to $15,000.

Council Rock School Board member Joseph Hidalgo of Northampton Township praised the district's business administrator, Anthony Rapp, and the district's administration for coming up with the program and including it in the 2023-24 budget.

"In 2017 when I knocked on all those doors to get elected and spoke to the people, the one thing I heard over and over again from the seniors is, 'Don't raise my taxes.'"

As a financial advisor who works with people daily to plan out their futures and their retirements, Hidalgo took those tax concerns to heart and started talking up the idea of a tax rebate.

"I would have conversations with previous board members and previous administrations and I was continually told that a rebate was illegal," said Hidalgo. "I was tired of being told that it couldn't be done, so I put it out there in public. I asked the superintendent and the solicitor, 'What are our legal options to provide relief to the seniors for taxes?'

"My goal was to get the conversation started. But almost immediately, our finance director came back and told me that we can match the state program and you can go anywhere from 25 to 100 percent," said Hidalgo. "We looked at some numbers and decided that 75 percent would be a good start."

Because the rebate program must be renewed each year by law, Hidalgo said it gives the district the flexibility to go with a higher or lower rebate. "If it's a tight year, you might not be able to do such a big rebate. If you have a good year, maybe you can increase it.

"I was surprised and thankful that the administration not only went with this solution but that it was readily available," said Hidalgo.

"This is just the beginning," he promised. "I would like to see us be able to freeze taxes on seniors who have lived in the same house all their life. Some of them have the resources, but some of them don't. If we can do something to help them that's legal, that's my next step. Or maybe we need to go to Harrisburg and change the laws."

Those who qualify for the Council Rock Tax and Rental Rebate Program can apply using the form available at this link. Copies of the rebate application are also available in the lobby of the Council Rock School District offices located at The Chancellor Center, 30 N. Chancellor Street, Newtown.

Taxpayers can learn more about the new tax rebate program by visiting www.crsd.org or calling the district's business office at 215-944-1040.