Tax Hike Approved In Falls Township Budget

FALLS TOWNSHIP, PA — Residents will see a slight tax increase next year after the Falls Township Board of Supervisors approved the 2026 municipal budget at its final meeting of the year on Monday night.

Supervisors adopted a $45,005,940 municipal budget that increases the current 8.97 millage rate by an additional 1 mill to 9.97 mills.

The tax increase will cost the owner of an average assessed property of $30,000 an extra $2.50 per month or $30 total per year. Those property owners now pay $269.10 in municipal taxes.

Falls Township residents are not assessed for trash and leaf pickup.

The tax increase would cover the rising operating costs for the parks and recreation department, said Finance Director Betsy Reukauf. The department oversees 408 acres at 18 parks, facilities, and open space.

Funds would continue to support various parks and recreation programs, including the annual National Night Out, Food Truck Festival, Community Yard Sale, Touch a Truck, and Summer Concert Series, she said.

In addition, several projects are planned for township parks in the coming year, including renovations at Penns Grant Park, which would feature the addition of a Safety Town, upgrades to the playground, and resurfacing of the tennis courts; upgrades to the hockey rink at Falls Township Community Park to address drainage issues, continuation of the soccer field maintenance program, baseball field repairs; repair of the docks at the Quaker Penn Park boat launch; and improvements at Kirby Park.

In all, $570,052 is earmarked for park improvements next year, officials said.

During one of the budget sessions, Supervisors Vice Chairwoman Erin Mullen said she “strongly
supported” the planned renovations at Penns Grant Park, including the addition of Safety Town.

At Pinewood Pool, plans call for a new vacuum, chairs, and security cameras to help prevent thefts from vehicles.

Reukauf told the board during the last of three budget meetings held last month that overall revenues for 2025 “far exceeded” what was allocated in this year’s spending plan.

In particular, Reukauf said that various construction projects throughout Falls Township, most notably NorthPoint Development’s redevelopment of the former U.S. Steel site, have resulted in a $5.4 million surplus in anticipated revenues from building, electrical, and HVAC permits.

Excess revenues mean that Falls Township can add $2 million back to its long-term savings and transfer just $5 million from host community fees to the general fund — as compared to the high of nearly $16.8 million in 2019.

Of the taxes collected locally, Pennsbury School District receives 85 percent, Bucks County receives 11
percent and Falls Township gets the remaining 4 percent, or 4 cents on every dollar collected.

Reukauf said $12 million is estimated to be collected in 2026 from the Earned Income Tax, which was
enacted in 2023.

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 $2.6 million projected for next year, while the state contributions have remained relatively flat.

Still, Falls Township plans several capital projects next year, including the full-depth reconstruction of Willow Drive, as well as mill and overlay repairs, upgrades to the South Olds Boulevard culvert and repairs at Martins Creek.