Falls Township is considering a slight tax increase to help cover rising parks and recreation costs.
The Falls Township Board of Supervisors voted to advertise the proposed $45 million 2026 budget.
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The millage rate is proposed to go from 8.97 mills to 9.97 mills.
The proposed tax increase would cost the average taxpayer approximately $30 per year, or $2.50 per month, according to Falls Township Finance Director Betsy Reukauf.
The additional revenue will support the township’s programs and 18 parks that span more than 408 acres, which include playgrounds, athletic fields, a skate park, hockey rink, basketball and tennis courts, trails, and pavilions.
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“The operating costs of the township’s 18 parks, facilities and open space areas are substantial and they continue to rise,” Reukauf said during her presentation to the supervisors.
The Parks and Recreation Fund is expected to have $1.1 million in expenditures for 2026. The revenue would cover year-round programming, including National Night Out, Food Truck Festival, Community Yard Sale, annual Fishing Derby, Touch A Truck event and the Summer Concert Series.
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The township’s parks and recreation spending has grown from roughly $650,000 in 2022.
Despite the proposed increase, Falls Township residents continue to pay the lowest municipal property taxes among neighboring municipalities, Reukauf said.
Based on a $30,000 assessment, township residents paid just $269.10 in municipal real estate taxes in 2025, which represents 4 percent of their total property tax bills.
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“The balance is collected by the county of Bucks and the Pennsbury School District,” Reukauf said.
The remaining 85 precent of residents’ property taxes goes to Pennsbury School District, while 11 percent goes to Bucks County.
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In Falls Township, trash, recycling, and leaf pickup services are provided at no cost through the partnership with Waste Management due to the landfill in the township.
The proposed budget shows that the township is working to reduce dependence on host community fees from the Waste Management landfill.
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For 2026, only $5 million in host fees will contribute to the general fund, down dramatically from a peak of $16.8 million in 2019.
“Through responsible fiscal management including cost cutting and revenue enhancements, the Township is reducing its reliance on host community fees to fund operating costs,” Reukauf said.
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The township maintains a reserve fund of $25.5 million and plans to add $2 million back to reserves in 2025 as it prepares for the eventual end of landfill-related revenue in the coming years.
Rising pension obligations present a budget challenge.
The township’s minimum municipal pension obligation has doubled from $1.3 million in 2012 to over $3.1 million annually since 2021, while state pension assistance remains relatively flat at around $820,000.
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The proposed budget includes several major capital projects for 2026.
Road reconstruction will resume after a brief pause, with $2.28 million allocated for Willow Drive reconstruction. Additional road improvements totaling $2.7 million include mill and overlay programs, South Olds Boulevard culvert work, and Martin’s Creek repairs.
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The township will continue its Falls CARES program with $100,000 in funding, which involves cleanup of properties that have fallen into disrepair.
“This program will have the added component of a social worker to address the broader needs of the residents,” Reukauf said. “With this program, the township is striving for action with compassion.”
Park improvements will get $570,052 in proposed funding, including Penn’s Grant Park renovation, installation of a tile system over the hockey rink’s existing asphalt to resolve drainage issues, continuation of soccer field maintenance programs, and upgrades to walking paths and basketball courts at Kirby Park.
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The Public Works Department will replace two Ford F-350 4X4 trucks at a cost of $200,000, along with purchasing a salt spreader, mower, and a vinyl cutter for signs and vehicle lettering.
Police services are the largest portion of the general fund budget at $14.5 million, representing 51.6 percent of proposed general fund expenditures.
Additional revenue sources for 2026 include $12 million in projected earned income tax, $800,000 in resource recovery fees, $720,000 in local services tax, $510,000 in cable TV franchise fees, $900,000 in real estate transfer taxes, and $3.8 million in building, electrical, HVAC and fire permits.
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The supervisors will vote on the final budget next month.
In other business, the supervisors also approved participating in an online electricity auction that could save 18 to 20 percent on current rates for electricity for the municipal government.
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