14,000 Middletown Property Owners Expected To Receive About $70

More than 14,000 Middletown property owners will be receiving a check.

The Middletown Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 Monday evening to distribute a recent $900,000 earned income tax windfall recently paid by those who were past due on their taxes. The money was not budgeted for by the township, which is operating this year below budget. An additional $100,000 from fund balance will be put toward the appropriation.

The $1 million appropriation will be split between owners of “improved lots” in the township. Owners of lots deemed “vacant” will not be eligible for the appropriation.

Officials explained that improve lots includes nearly all properties in the township, including agricultural plots.

“Payments will be made based upon Bucks County Board of Assessment records as of March 26, 2018.  It is anticipated that more than 14,000 property owners will receive payments of approximately $70. Checks will be distributed within the next two months,” Middletown officials said.

“It’s not a rebate,” Supervisor Mike Ksiezek said. “It’s an appropriation”  

Township solicitor James Esposito said the appropriation was the least burdensome way to distribute the money.

Supervisor Bill Oettinger raised a concern that during last year’s budget cycle there were some points raised about Middletown’s finances in the future. He said it was not wise to return money if there may be problems down the road.

“I don’t see any financial documents to support this. When you have department heads telling you they need more help …. this just doesn’t make any sense,” he said.

“If $70 is going to help out a little bit … that’s not an opportunity I’m willing to pass up. I think we have a unique opportunity to doing a little something,” Supervisor Chairperson Amy Strouse said in response.

Supervisor Tom Tosti said Ottinger had the chance to ask township administrations about the planned appropriation like he did.

“It is the Board’s hope that even a small appropriation will help to spur economic development and make a difference to our residents,” Strouse said.

The controversial EIT, a tax levied on employed township residents and outsiders who work in the community, was imposed in 2014. Many residents have not been happy with the .5 percent EIT and have called for it to be repealed.

In addition to the checks sent to property owners, the Board of Supervisors voted to hire a new police officer and public workers laborer.

As LevittownNow.com reported previously, Middletown officials first mentioned the appropriation at their meeting last month.

Middletown has its yearly budget based on incoming revenues and also sits on a $40 million reserve fund.