Upper Providence Twp. Rejects Flood Resiliency, Environmental Protections

UPPER PROVIDENCE, PA — Voters in Upper Providence Township rejected a referendum that would have increased taxes by a tiny percentage to help pay for community flood relief, storm resiliency, and environmental protections.

The ballot question, one of only a handful smattered around Montgomery County ballots Tuesday, was not particularly close. According to unofficial results Wednesday afternoon, 4,724 voted "no" for the measure, and 3,250 voted "yes."

See related: Montco's Historic Voter Turnout, Democratic Dominance: What Tuesday's Results Mean

Specifically, the money raised from the fractional tax increase would have been used for flood damage mitigation, clean water preservation, wildlife habitats, acquiring and maintaining new open spaces, and expanding trail networks.

The proposed increase on the income tax was 0.06 percent, and the property tax increase proposal was 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value.

The full question that appeared on the ballot Tuesday is included below:

Do you favor the imposition of an increase in the earned income tax at the rate of six one hundredths (6/100th) of one percent (0.06%) and an increase in the real property tax at the rate of .50 mills ($0.50 per $1,000 assessed valuation) by the Township of Upper Providence to be used to expand the Township’s trail and recreation systems; mitigate flood damage; preserve clean water and wildlife habitats; acquire interests in real property for purposes of securing open space benefits and for transactional fees incidental to such acquisitions; to retire indebtedness incurred in acquiring open space; and for the expenditure of funds for any purpose relating to the acquisition, planning for acquisition, preservation, improvement, and maintenance of open space or for an open space benefit?