Bristol Township taxpayers are expected to see a slight tax hike in 2025 to help cover fire protection services.
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Bristol Township officials unveiled a proposed $71.8 million 2025 budget that includes a 1 mill increase in fire tax and a $50 hike in the annual trash fee.
Township Manager Randee Mazur said the proposed increase in the fire tax would bolster support for the five volunteer fire companies.
“We are very fortunate to have five very, very well respected fire companies volunteer in Bristol Township,” Mazur said. “This millage is only for the volunteer fire companies.”
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The proposed 1 mill increase would raise the fire tax from its current rate to 3.98 mills. For a home with an average assessed value of $20,000, this translates to an additional $20 per year in property taxes.
Mazur explained that the fire tax increase is necessary as the township transitions away from using federal COVID-19 relief funds to support the fire companies.
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“For the last three years, we have been supplementing the volunteer fire companies with that mill increase with our state and local fiscal recovery act funding,” she said.
The township’s five volunteer fire companies work with the municipality’s paid daytime fire crew.
The township manager highlighted the potential consequences of not supporting volunteer fire companies adequately and noted moving to a 24-7 paid fire department would cause a larger tax increase.
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“We’re going to do everything we can to support our volunteer fire company,” Council President Craig Bowen said.
The trash fee increase of $50 per household is attributed to the increased cost under the $34.5 million multi-year contract with Waste Management, the township manager said.
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Mazur said the township had used reserves to balance the trash fund last year but can no longer continue that practice.
“We had to use reserves to balance out that trash fee. So now we’re going to, we’re recommending an increase of $50,” Mazur said.
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Combined, the fire tax and trash fee increases will result in a $70 annual hike for the average Bristol Township household, officials said.
Mazur emphasized that despite the increases, Bristol Township’s fees remain competitive compared to neighboring municipalities.
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“Bristol Borough pays $800 a month and Middletown is going up as well,” she said.
The proposed budget maintains the current tax rates for other township services, officials said.
Mazur said Bristol Township has not raised taxes, and actually reduced them twice since 2012.
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In addition to the tax and fee increases, the preliminary budget outlines $12.12 million in grant funding for capital projects and equipment in the coming year.
The council voted to authorize advertisement of the preliminary budget for public inspection. Residents will have the opportunity to review the proposed budget before its final adoption.
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Council members expressed support for the budget proposal that recognized the need to maintain essential services while keeping costs manageable for residents.
The council is expected to vote at the Dec. 19 meeting.
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