Middletown Approves Budget With No Tax Hike, But Costs Rising

Middletown Township has approved the 2023 budget without raising taxes, but the municipality expects to have to pull from $1 million from its savings to cover rising costs.

The Middletown Township Board of Supervisors voted Monday evening to approve the $47.8 million spending plan. The township millage rate will stay at 17.57.

The average township homeowner will pay $516.73 in municipal taxes in 2023.

Township Manager Stephanie Teoli Kuhls wrote in her budget proposal that revenues have rebounded from COVID-19 impacts, but the “cost of providing municipal services continues to climb, and although the township will enter 2023 on solid financial footing.”

Kuhls said on Monday that Middletown Township is expected to end 2022 with anticipated revenues and expenses for the outgoing year.

In 2023, expenses are anticipated to outpace revenues by $1 million, which means the township will pull from its $13 million fund balance.

The 2023 budget notes that 88 percent of general fund costs are for employee and retiree expenses and benefits.

In 2023, Middletown Township plans to fill vacancies across its workforce and add a chief of fire and emergency services to work with the paid and volunteer fire service.

The police department takes up the largest chunk of the township’s general fund expenditures and makes up 52 percent of the budget.

Of the township’s proposed $9 million in capital expenditures, the town expects to use $4.7 million in American Rescue Act Funds on projects. The township has also applied for several grants that may help pay for projects, according to the budget document.

Of the capital programs, the township plans to spent $194,250 for ongoing improvements to the Municipal Center and Langhorne Spring, vehicle upgrades across departments, a fire engine for the paid daytime fire inspectors, various pieces of gear for paid and volunteer firefighters, $75,000 in technology upgrades across the township, $1.5 million for park upgrades and a comprehensive parks plan, $600,000 for police department gear, $50,000 for an active shooter training simulator, $1 million for road improvements and paving, $1 million for updates to the public work’s facility, $70,000 for intersection and signage improvements, $120,000 for Levittown footbridge upgrades, $2.3 million in storm sewer and drainage work is planned, $2.3 million in sustainability investments, and $2.3 million in walkability and intersection improvements, according to the budget.

Middletown Township has not raised real estate taxes since 2010, but they did add an earned income tax (EIT) in 2014. The EIT is expected to bring in $9.5 million in 2023.

The township’s investment fund, which was started by the $40 million in proceeds from the 2002 sale of the water and sewer system, is expected to earn $900,000 in interest in 2023. The interest can be used toward township projects, but the $40 million is restricted.

Middletown Township employs 117 full-time employees, 23 regular part-time staffers, and 73 seasonal workers, according to the budget.

Report a correction via email | Editorial standards and policies

---

---