Bristol Borough Council is aiming to hold the line on taxes in 2023.
Advertisements
The borough government proposed a $11.6 million budget recently that keeps the tax rate at 51.39 mills. The spending is about $900,000 less than the 2022 plan.
Starting in 2021, the borough lowered municipal taxes due to the 2020 sale of the skating rink. The borough was able to lower taxes by 6.5 mills, a 11.2 percent decrease.
The borough enters 2023 with no debt service. The recent $50 million sale of the sewer authority to the Bucks County Water and Sewer authority paid off remaining debt, according to the budget.
Advertisements
The budget calls for increasing funding to the parks and recreation program, staffing the police department with 12 full-time and eight part-time officers, contributing $145,000 to the Bucks County Rescue Squad, purchasing a $30,000 animal control vehicle, buying a $25,000 code enforcement vehicle, increasing spending on street lighting due to rising energy and maintenance costs, and spending $106,975 to cover the bond obligation under the 2009 road program.
Under the spending plan, the borough plans to hike crossing guard pay from $12 per hour to $15 per hour. The cost is split 50-50 by the borough and school district.
Advertisements
“The last pay increase for the school district crossing guards was before 2004,” the budget by Borough Manager Jim Dillon said.
“We’re going in without any tax increase, so Jim, thank you, Angie, and the staff,” Council President Ralph DiGuiseppe said.
Council is slated to vote on the budget at their meeting next Monday at 7 p.m. at Bristol Borough Hall.
Advertisements
Report a correction via email | Editorial standards and policies
