Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
Bristol Township’s proposed 2021 budget keeps the municipal tax rate steady while decreasing spending.
The township’s proposed spending plan is $57.6 million, a 15 percent decrease from last year’s budget, which featured a 3 percent decrease from 2019. The budget proposal calls for holding the 23.98 millage rate that equals about $428.69 in property taxes for the average homeowner.
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Due to COVID-19 revenue impacts, federal and state grants have shrunk and that led to the 15 percent decrease in spending.
The township hasn’t had a tax increase since at least 2012.
Township Manager Randee Elton said tax revenues were better than expect in light of the pandemic, but there was a loss of some fees.
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“The taxes are coming in better than expected, so we’re ending the year on a good note, but we’re still budgeting very conservatively for next year,” she said.
The township manager said some fees, including for waste, will be evaluated in the coming year.
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The township plans to spend about $13.1 million in capital expenses next year. The projects include proposed upgrades making the Bristol Township Senior Center a community center, the addition of heat and insulation at the public works garage, renovation of locker rooms for the police department, a fitness room for township employees, road and curb ramp upgrades, replacement of aging vehicles, planning for a new fire truck in 2022, continuation of the blight program, and upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant in Croydon. Federal block grant money will be used for new ball fields, a pavilion, bathrooms, and a walking track at JFK Park on Snowden Avenue in West Bristol.
The budget showed that police pension and retiree health care costs continue to rise, totaling about $4 million.
Elton said new staff in recent years have “invigorated the township and helped improve services, as well as overall efficiency of the entire operation.”
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Bristol Township Council plans to vote on the proposed budget at their December 17 meeting.
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