Last week Bristol Township approved its 2024 just over $68 million budget maintaining the current tax millage rate for the new year.
The tax rate will remain at 23.980. The township has not raised real estate taxes since 2010.
The approved budget consists of $28 million for operational costs and $9.8 million allocated for capital purchases and infrastructure improvements.
The township eliminated its $10 per capita head tax for 2024, a frequent source of resident ire, officials said. Council President Craig Bowen said new residents often find the tax confusing.
The township was also able to hold steady trash collection costs at $340 per year due to the new contract with Waste Management coming in cheaper than expected, officials said.
Township Manager Randee Elton said even with a slight rise in operating costs mostly driven by personnel expenses and contractual obligations, 2024 spending was a slight increase over 2023.
Federal COVID-19 relief funds will end in 2024 but funding will continue to be used in 2024 for sewer improvements, officials said.
The township’s paid fire service that supplements volunteer crews (Bristol Township Fire and Rescue), increased to eight full-time firefighters in 2023. There will be no staffing increases in 2024, officials said.
Renovation to the new senior center and the development of a new township parks and recreation center are among the projects the township plans to launch in 2024, with plans to construct of a new fire station Elton said. She added, seven new vehicles would be purchased. Four of which are police patrol vehicles.
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“Appropriations in the proposed 2024 Budget will continue the high level of service expected by Township citizens and business owners. There is a continued emphasis on the expansion of increasing staffing in administration, police, public works, and recreation and infrastructure improvements to Township-owned facilities,” Elton said.