Budget With No Tax Increase Proposed for Lower Gwynedd Township

Lower Gwynedd Township Manager, Larry Comunale, presented the proposed 2013 budget at Tuesday's Board of Supervisors meeting.

The proposed budget has no tax increase and no sewer rate increase for Lower Gwynedd residents. The millage rate in the township for 2013 will stay at 1.223 mills. Comunale said no other changes in tax rates are proposed.

The General Fund budget will total $6,058,840, a reduction of 2.5 percent compared to the 2012 budget according to a press release provided by the township.

Earned Income Tax collection makes up 56 percent of General Fund revenues. Real Estate taxes make up 13 percent and the Business Privilege tax makes of 7 percent.

The township saw an increase in Earned Income Tax collection as a "result of more efficient collection procedures under newly-enacted Act 32," according to the release. However, Comunale said at Tuesday's meeting that he will feel more comfortable gauging the higher collection after another year or two under the new law.

As part of the budget, the township has budgeted $654,757 to pave six township roads and $90,000 to continue the Penllyn Pike Trail project, which is in cooperation with Whitpain Township and the project is dependent on County Open Space Funding.

The proposed budget was approved unanimously by the Board of Supervisors and will be available for public inspection beginning Nov. 20 at the township building for 20 days.