Is A Tax Hike Looming For Yardley Borough Residents?

YARDLEY, PA —With 2023 budget discussions underway, the borough is facing a $68,000 shortfall that would lead to a 2-mill increase for residents, Councilman Matt Curtin said.

Curtin updated Borough Council about where the borough stands at its meeting Tuesday night.

"The current budget, without a tax increase right now, has a $68,000 deficit," Curtin said. "These are contractual cost increases for running the borough. We would need two mills of an increase of aggregate taxes. That would cover the shortfall if we can't find other places to plug that gap."

Curtin said the borough has done well with building capital reserve and obtaining grants and has benefitted from a bump in real estate transfer taxes.

"It's going to be a big year next year," he told council. "And with the timing of all these things coming together at once, it's going to put a strain on the case balances of some of our accounts."

Those things Curtin is referring to are in regards to Phases Two and Three of the North Main Street sidewalks project and rebuilding the Mary Yardley Bridge.

Borough officials said they hoped to have the 2023 budget approved by Dec. 6.

Curtin did not return an email from Patch Thursday seeking additional comment.

Councilman David Appelbaum told Patch Thursday that he hopes the borough can close the shortfall gap.

"No one likes to pay more taxes. And certainly, during this era of economic uncertainty following the pandemic, supply chain issues and high inflation would I be enthusiastic about paying more taxes?" Appelbaum said.

"We have some bright people on Council, on our staff and committee members who are as dedicated as I am to avoid any more costs to our residents if possible," he said.