Bristol Borough Council approved its 2025 budget holding the lines on taxes for 2025.
The spending plan for the upcoming year is an increase of about $300,000 more than in last years budget which came in at just under $6.85 million.
Council President Ralph DiGuiseppe, before the spending plan was approved by council, said it would not include a tax hike.
The borough allocated $20,000 to its flag football and recreation programing as it continues to grow with plans in the works to offer seniors recreation activities next year, officials said earlier this year.
According to Borough records, interest from the sale of the sewer system will come in at $720,959.00 at this year’s end with projected interest in 2025 amounting to $520,000.00.
A significant portion of every municipality’s budget goes towards to public safety. The 2025 budget will fund 10 full time and five part time police officers. The overall operating budget for the dept. in 2025 is just under $3 million, a slight increase over last years budget. An increase of $42,000 for the full time shift slots and an increase of $15,500.00 towards part time staffing slots account for a large portion of the increases to the police budget overall.
With no debt to be concerned about or a cash flow issues, Council approved the 2025 budget unanimously.
In additional Bristol Borough Council related news
State Representative Tina Davis, state State Senator Steve Santarsiero with Commissioner Bob Harvie, attended Council’s last meeting for 2024 to present two checks for state funds for important projects in the borough.
A check for $700,000 in state funding was presented to the Mayor and Council President Ralph DiGuiseppe to go towards the as yet-to-be constructed centralized emergency services fire station.
A centralized location will allow emergency services to reach all parts of the Borough more easily and reduce operating costs overall, Santarsiero said.
Davis said the decision to consolidate the borough’s fire companies was a key element in getting the state funding for the station.
Credit: Submitted
The second check of $500,000 is for flood mitigation along Adams Hollow Creek. Improving flood safety around the creek is necessary to ensure safety for the community, as well as its many surrounding businesses and natural resources, officials said.
Council vice-president Betty Rodriguez and councilman Lee Cousin representing the west ward, accepted the check and thanked Davis and Santarsiero for supporting projects important to the residents of Bristol. Bristol has applied for and received state and federal funds to try and offset flooding impacts.
In one last item council approved the sale of a police vehicle for $12,000.00 to Fred Beans.