Bristol Township taxpayers will see a slight tax increase in 2025, according to the spending plan approved last week.
Bristol Township Council unanimously approved a $71.8 million budget for 2025. The budget includes 1 mill increase in fire tax and a $50 hike in the annual trash fee.
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The tax increase is the first for Bristol Township since 2012.
The 1-mill increase will raise taxes by about $20 for the average homeowner with an assessed property value of $20,000.
The new revenue will go toward the township’s five volunteer fire companies.
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Council President Craig Bowen said it was important to support volunteer firefighters to avoid costlier alternatives.
“We need to do what we can to keep our volunteer fire companies,” Bowen said. “We felt it was beneficial to raise it 1 mill, $20, and do whatever we can for them.”
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Bowen noted that some municipalities transitioning to paid fire departments have implemented much larger tax increases.
Township Manager Randee Mazur said the township’s volunteer firefighters are supplemented by a paid fire crew that works mainly during the daytime hours.
Discussing the waste fee increase, officials said the bill will come to $400 for each household.
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The increase in fee is necessary to cover costs from a five-year waste collection contract implemented last year, Mazur said.
“We didn’t want to raise the fee last year, but we do need to raise it to cover the contract costs,” Mazur said.
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Despite the increase, Bristol Township’s refuse fee remains lower than neighboring municipalities. Middletown Township recently negotiated a trash contract with fees rising to $476, while Bristol Borough charges $675 annually for twice-weekly collection, Mazur said.
The township manager highlighted several capital projects and improvements planned for 2025, including:
- Construction of a new senior center
- Renovation of the existing senior center into a fire station
- Parks maintenance and upgrades
- Renovation of the public works facility
- Sanitary sewer and stormwater infrastructure improvements
- Road and curb ramp programs
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The budget maintains staffing levels, including 61 sworn police personnel and eight career firefighters to supplement the township’s five volunteer fire companies.
The township manager also noted Bristol Township has secured about $12 million in state, federal, and local grants for several projects.
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