Bristol Township has announced its proposed 2024 budget will maintain the current tax millage rate for the new year.
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The tax rate will remain at 23.980. The township has not raised real estate taxes since 2010.
The proposed budget, totaling $68.3 million has $28 million for operational costs and $9.8 million allocated for capital acquisitions and infrastructure improvements.
The township will keep the trash and recycling fee at $340 per year due to the new contract not coming in as high as expected.
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Bristol Township plans to eliminate its $10 per capita head tax in 2024, a frequent source of resident complaints, said Council President Craig Bowen. Bowen noted that new residents often find the tax confusing.
The removal of the per capital head tax, which is separate from real estate taxes, is expected to have a limited impact on the township’s budget.
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Despite the rise in operating costs primarily driven by personnel expenses and contractual obligations, the proposed 2024 budget has only experienced a slight uptick in cost, Township Manager Randee Elton said.
Costs have been partly offset by numerous retirements and adjustments to staffing needs, she said.
In a summary by Elton, it’s highlighted that the 2024 budget will not see any reductions in township services.
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Bristol Township Financial Officer Francis Phillips pointed out the challenges of escalating employee costs and recent inflationary pressures have impacted the budget.
“Appropriations in the proposed 2024 Budget will continue the high level of service expected by Township citizens and business owners. There is a continued emphasis on the expansion of increasing staffing in administration, police, public works, and recreation and infrastructure improvements to Township-owned facilities,” Elton said.
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The federal COVID-19 relief funds will end in 2024. Funding will continue to be used in 2024 for sanitary sewer improvements, officials said.
Bristol Township Fire Rescue, the township’s paid fire service that supplements volunteer crews, expanded to eight full-time firefighters in 2023. The 2023 staffing and service level will be maintained in 2024.
Credit: Darryl Rule/LevittownNow.com
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The comprehensive capital projects outlined in the budget include finishing up ongoing improvements to the Croydon sewer plant, development of the new parks and recreation facility on Bath Road in the old Inspire Federal Credit Union building, construction of a new fire station, park upgrades, procurement of new vehicles for various departments, enhanced security for the township’s IT infrastructure, stormwater management, road paving, and traffic system enhancements.
The Bristol Township Council is scheduled to vote on the proposed budget at the meeting on December 21.
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