Bristol Twp. Approves $76.3 Million Budget With No Tax Increase

With some cheers, Bristol Township Council approved its 2026 budget of $76.3 million and marked the 14th consecutive year without raising the real estate tax for the general fund.

The budget includes $60.5 million for operating expenses and $15.5 million for capital projects.

Township Manager Randee Mazur went over the budget to council Thursday evening. She said the township has financial stability and is using a conservative approach to spending.

“Proud to say that we have no increases in real estate taxes or user fees for the 2026 year,” Mazur said during her presentation. “We haven’t raised millage for general fund, but last year we raised 1 mil for fire companies.”

“Bristol Township Council is proud to adopt a responsible 2026 budget that keeps services strong while holding the line on real estate taxes and user fees,” said Council President Craig Bowen. “This spending plan reflects careful planning, disciplined financial management, and a continued commitment to reinvesting in our neighborhoods.”

The average homeowner with an assessed property value of $20,000 pays $499.60 annually in township real estate taxes, which translates to $41.63 per month.

“What do you get for $41.63 per month? You basically get our whole entire departments, Police, career fire, also our volunteer fire, rescue squad, public works, finance administration, community development, building planning, code enforcement, IT, debt service, and our capital projects and parks and rec,” Mazur explained.

Adding together real estate taxes, refuse fees and the streetlight assessments, the average homeowner pays $929.85, according to township officials.

The township’s main revenue sources are earned income tax, real estate taxes, local services tax, and mercantile tax.

Mazur addressed common confusion among residents regarding their total tax burden, noting that property tax bills include county taxes, trash fees, streetlight assessments, and school district taxes in addition to township taxes.

“When everybody says I pay $5,622 in taxes a year to Bristol Township they don’t separate out the school district and the township,” Mazur said. “Out of your $5,622, $499.60 is coming to the township for all your services.”

The figures cited for Mazur are based on the average bill. Each property’s bill is different based on the specifics of the home.

The township implemented program-based budgeting for 2026 as they shifted from traditional line-item budgeting to better demonstrate how tax dollars support specific results and programs, the township manager said.

The township plans to add a communications manager, accountant, information systems technician, and building maintenance supervisor in the 2026.

Police services are the largest budget expenditure at 57.5 percent of total spending. Law enforcement operations and related costs typically are the largest part of municipal budgets in the area

Capital improvements planned for 2026 include replacing rooftop units in township buildings, adding a sign shop to the public works department, and completing long-term park restoration projects.

Several of the township’s capital projects are supported by grants and fire station renovation are being paid for with $1 million of American Rescue Plan Act funds.

Equipment purchases by the township include body cameras, in-car cameras, drones, and portable radios for the police department. There will also be purchased of personal protective equipment for the career fire department.

Infrastructure projects continue with storm sewer televising and lining, wastewater treatment plant improvements including trickling filter replacement, force main pump station replacement, and ongoing sewer lining projects, Mazur said.

The liquid fuels fund will support an expanded road paving program with increased mileage for mill and overlay projects, along with the curb ramp program and storm drain improvements.

Parks and recreation programming is expected to expand with concerts and movie nights.

The department reports, according to Mazur, increased rental activity at the parks and recreation building.

A new source of revenue for the township is the recently installed red light camera systems, which are expected to generate $3.4 million.

After the revenue is split between the system operator, Sensys Gatso, PennDOT, and the township, and the township’s costs are factored in, the municipality expects to net $2.8 million from red light violators on Route 13 and Veterans Highway (Route 413).