Falls Twp. Budget Would Hold Line On Taxes

FALLS TOWNSHIP, PA — Supervisors in Falls Township on Tuesday unveiled a $32.7 million budget plan that would cut spending by about $1 million and hold the line on municipal taxes.

The spending plan includes nearly $4 million for road improvements and money for a new playground and removal of trees damaged by an invasive beetle.

Since 2014, the township's millage rate has been 7.22. That represents the lowest tax millage rate the township has had since the 1992 budget was passed, according to finance director Betsy Reukauf. The $32.7 million figure is more than $1 million less than the 2019 budget.

At that rate, property owners in Falls with an assessed value of $30,000 would pay $216.60 in municipal taxes. The township receives 3.6 percent of taxes collected from Falls property owners, with the lion's share going to Pennsbury School District (84 percent) and Bucks County (12 percent).

Under the spending plan, the $3.9 million for road improvements in 2020 would include work on Simons Drive, Gilbert Drive and Elbow Lane. In addition, in-house milling and overlay work is planned for Centre Street and Von Hoffman Park.

Falls intends to apply for a PennDOT grant that would provide 80 percent of the roughly $300,000 cost of new signals, signs and crosswalk improvements on North Olds Boulevard and Trenton Road.

The budget also earmarks about $100,000 for a new playground and wheelchair accessible ramp to replace the 21-year-old play structure at Kirby Park.

Also included in the budget is $85,000 for tree trimming and removal of trees infested by the destructive and invasive Emerald Ash Borer.

The 2020 budget will be available for public inspection from Nov. 26-Dec. 17. A vote to adopt the budget is planned for the Falls supervisors’ Dec. 16 meeting.