Credit: Jeff Bohen/LevittownNow
The battle for the soul of Bristol Township continued at Wednesday’s council meeting.
The Bristol Township Council passed a resolution 8-0 calling on the Bristol Township School District not to increase real estate tax millage in the 2014-2015 budget and until construction of the three new 1,300-student elementary schools is completed. According to data from Bucks County, the Bristol Township School District already has among the highest tax millage rates of all districts in the county.
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“The resolution is necessary because we want to make sure we hold their feet to the fire if they try to raise the tax millage in the future,” said council President Bob Lewis.
“The school district has said taxes won’t be raised and we – council – felt the need to have our point of view on the record,” Lewis explained.
“I don’t envy their position, but at the same time, we need to protect township residents too,” council member Craig Bowen said.
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Lewis said for every dollar the township receives, the school district gets 80 cents.
Some members of council have raised concerns previously that the district’s plan to build three new 1,300-student buildings and close the aging nine will force the cash-strapped district to raise taxes.
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During a January Council meeting members Amber Longhitano, who was absent from Wednesday night’s meeting, and John Monahan voiced concerns the new schools will drive taxes upwards for seniors. its something they can “ill afford.”
Longhitano at the time added “I think this is a logistical and financial mess.”
The new schools project is expected to cost over $150 million, which district officials plan to pay for with bonds.
