Falls Twp. Passes 26th Budget In A Row With No Tax Increase

Falls Township has passed its operating budget for 2019.

According to officials, this is the 26th budget in a row that will allow the township to maintain its current tax rate.

The township plans to spend $33.9 million in 2019, and the millage rate will continue at 7.22. The township’s millage rate represents the lowest tax millage rate the township has had since the 1992 budget was passed, according to officials.

Property owners would continue paying $216.60 for an average assessment of $30,000 under the township’s 2019 budget.

Falls maintains its services, in addition, to offering trash and leaf pickup free of charge all without instituting an Earned Income Tax. Since 2012, the township has also seen its pension obligation double from $1.3 million in 2012 to $2.6 million in 2017 all while the state contributions have remained relatively flat.

Supervisors Chairman Bob Harvie has credited township staff with ensuring a smooth budget process and a spending plan without a tax increase.

“It’s a long process,” Harvie said of the time and effort involved in finalizing an annual spending plan.

Even with a flat municipal tax rate, Falls Supervisors are planning several projects for 2019, including $2.8 million for construction and engineering as part of the annual road program. The spending plan also includes an in-house mill and overlay project for Gables Court. Intersection improvements at Levittown and Mill Creek parkways; and West Trenton and Allendale avenues budgeted at $244,000 are planned as part of a PennDOT matching fund grant.

Continued tree trimming and removal of the highly destructive and invasive emerald ash borer is planned for next year as well.

Upgrades, including a pavilion, are planned for Pinewood Pool. The budget also allots $101,000 to resurface and make additional improvements to the hockey rink at Falls Township Community Park.

Police vehicles, computer equipment and firearms purchases earmarked at $470,000 are also included in the 2019 budget.

The Public Works department is looking to replace three vehicles used for road work and snow plowing at an estimated cost of $198,093. An emergency generator with enough energy to power the municipal building in the event of a power outage is also included in the budget.

Unlike most other area municipalities, Falls Township receives impact fees for use of the Waste Management landfill in addition to regular tax and fee revenues.

The township will also be looking to choose a new engineer in the new year. After 15 years, Township Engineer Jim Sullivan has announced his retirement. During Sullivan’s tenure, he has overseen the reconstruction or resurfacing of 40 percent of the roads in the roughly 28-square-mile township. He has also met with contractors, reviewed the engineering aspects of land development projects on the township’s behalf and surveyed bid specifications. A new engineer will be chosen at the Supervisors’ 2019 reorganization meeting on Jan. 7.