Taxes Expected To Increase In Falls Twp.: Find Out How Much

FALLS TOWNSHIP, PA — Township residents are expected to pay more in municipal taxes next year, officials said.

Falls Township Supervisors are expected to adopt the 2026 municipal budget at its meeting on Tuesday night.

If the 2026 $45 million budget is adopted as introduced, the township’s Parks and Recreation Department would receive additional funding in 2026.

At its last meeting, supervisors introduced a preliminary 2026 budget, that would increase the current 8.97 millage rate by an additional 1 mill to 9.97 mills total.

The tax increase would cost the owner of an average assessed property of $30,000 an extra $2.50 per month or $30 total per year.

Property owners currently pay $269.10 for an average assessment of $30,000.

Unlike neighboring communities, Falls Township residents are not assessed for trash and leaf pickup.

The proposed tax increase would cover the rising operating costs for the parks and recreation
department, according to 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.

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 parks improvements for next year.

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

“Safety Town is the little town that is a replica created in a space that has crosswalks, bus stops, etc.,”
Mullen said. “It’s sort of a destination for field trips where kids learn safety without being in the risk of an actual street … I would love to have this here and available to our schools and daycares.”

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 earlier this 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 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 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.

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

Still, Falls Township plans a number of 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.