Bristol Borough Council has approved a $7.25 million spending plan for 2026 that keeps the current tax rate steady.
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The borough’s tax millage rate will remain at 51.39. The rate has held steady since 2021 when the council implemented an 11.2 percent decrease.
“There’s no tax increase again this year,” Council President Ralph DiGuiseppe said. “There hasn’t been a tax increase for years.”
To balance the budget, the borough plans to bridge a $1.8 million deficit using interest generated from an investment account.
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The investment account holds the proceeds from the $50 million sale of the borough’s wastewater system to the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority.
The investment is projected to yield between $1.6 million and $1.7 million in annual interest, officials said.
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During a recent budget hearing, DiGuiseppe said using the interest revenue would not deplete the principal amount of the investment fund.
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
DiGuiseppe noted the budget shortfall is a recurring issue.
Recently, the council president noted that officials must explore cost-cutting measures.
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A large portion of the budget discussions centered on police department expenditures.
According to borough data, the cost of a full-time officer, including benefits but excluding overtime, ranges from $176,400 to $234,000.
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Officials said that when overtime is factored in, the total cost for some officers can exceed $260,000.
The borough currently spends approximately $385,000 on police overtime.
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Officials attributed the overtime costs to contract requirements that mandate at least two full-time patrol officers be on duty at all times.
