If adopted as introduced, Falls Township will maintain its current municipal tax rate in 2024, while continuing the same high-quality services residents have come to appreciate.
During Monday’s meeting, the Falls Supervisors introduced a preliminary 2024 budget. As proposed, the 2024 spending plan would hold the line on the current 8.97 millage rate.
Under the tentative spending plan, property owners would continue to pay $269.10 for an average assessment of $30,000 under the township’s 2024 budget. The owner of the average Bristol Township property, by comparison, paid $1,069.40 in local taxes for 2023.
Unlike neighboring communities, Falls residents are not assessed for trash and leaf pickup.
Even with keeping taxes flat, the township is planning several upgrades in 2024. Falls has earmarked $500,000 to construct a new playground with wheelchair accessibility at Falls Township Community Park Phase II. The equipment, which is geared for youth ages 2 to 12, will replace the existing playground and will allow for all children to play, particularly those with disabilities, as well as kids on the autism spectrum.
The 2024 budget also includes a new Falls Cares blight remediation program.
Next year’s budget allocates $34.7 million for the design and construction of an expanded and renovated municipal campus, which is expected to be completed in December 2024. It also allocates $2.4 million for the continuation of the annual road improvement program; and includes funds to cover several culvert replacement projects and drainage projects.
In addition, Falls plans to spend $470,000 on four new police vehicles, computer equipment, firearms training and supplies; and $469,700 to replace seven aging pieces of equipment in the Public Works department.
For decades, Falls officials have worked hard to do more with less. For every $1 paid in taxes, Falls Township receives just 4 cents. Yet, year after year the township sees spiraling pension contribution increases. Over the last decade, the township has seen its pension obligation nearly triple. Pension contributions surged from $1.3 million in 2012 to $2.6 million in 2017, with nearly $3 million projected for next year, all while the state contributions have remained relatively flat.
The township’s Earned Income Tax, which was enacted Jan. 1, 2023, is expected to contribute $7 million to the township’s general fund in 2024.
In all, $78,821,601 is projected to be spent in 2024.
The community can review the budget from Nov. 30 through Dec. 19 at the township building, at Fallsington Library, as well as on the township website at www.fallstwp.com (under the finance department section of the site). The 2024 budget will be considered for adoption during the Supervisors’ Dec. 19 meeting.
