Solebury Township property owners will see a slight increase in their property taxes next year as the Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved a 2025 spending plan.
The 2025 budget, which is set at just over $8 million, represents a $314,000 increase from the approved 2024 budget. It includes a tax hike of 1.1 mills, which translates to an additional $67 annually for the average household in the township. The new millage rate will be set at 25.91.
According to township officials, the majority of the tax increase—0.75 mills—will fund fire services, while 0.35 mills will be allocated to ambulance services.
The new funding is part of a strategy to introduce a new stipend program for emergency services, create a capital fund, and bolster contributions to the Central Bucks Emergency Medical Services.
Supervisor Chairperson Mark Baum Baicker said the budget’s focus on addressing the “badly needed funding to our emergency providers” while maintaining fiscal responsibility across other areas.
“We are holding the line everywhere else,” he stated.
Earlier this year, township officials said there has been minimal growth in property tax revenues and the challenge was caused limited new development oppertunities in the township.
Township Manager Christopher Garges and Assistant Township Manager Michele Blood, who also serves as the finance director, expressed in their budget statement that the administration’s strategy revolves around “managing flat revenues versus increased cost of core services while planning for capital projects and sustainability initiatives concurrently with paying off existing debt.”
They added: “The municipal staff and officials are dedicated to continuing to closely monitor the fiscal health of the Township and make necessary improvements for providing quality service in the most efficient and cost effective manner possible.”
Baum Baicker thanked Garges, Blood, and the municipal staff for their “outstanding work” in preparing the budget.
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