Editor's Note: This article has been updated to reflect that the 2-mill property tax incease will generate an additional $110,000 in tax revenue for the borough.
Chalfont Borough residents can expect roughly an 11% increase in property taxes this upcoming year, as the council’s 2024 budget allocates funds to hire two new police officers, as well as an additional public works employee.
At its Dec. 12 meeting, borough council voted on the Chalfont Borough 2024 Budget, which includes a tax increase estimated to bring in an additional $110,000. These funds will be used to help secure two new officers for the Central Bucks Regional Police Department. In addition, the Public Works Department’s new hire will cost roughly $100,000.
The 2024 budget passed in a 5-to-1 vote, with councilman Mitchell Meyerson voting against the proposed budget. He justified voting against it by pointing out the budget’s reliance on the borough’s reserve funds to patch a deficit. Relying on the reserve, he maintained, would not be fiscally responsible, and that doing so too consistently would eventually deplete the reserve.
A public commenter had drawn attention to the exact same issue earlier in the Dec. 12 meeting.
Meyerson’s fellow council members did not share his concerns. Mayor Brian Wallace referred to Meyerson’s statement as “just conjecture,” saying that the councilman’s prediction of eventually depleting their unrestricted reserve funds may never come to pass.
Councilman Michael Beebie went a step further, questioning the data behind Meyerson’s statements.
Councilwoman Marilyn Jacobson simply remarked that there was not enough time to re-evaluate their budget plans for the upcoming year, while also asking if Meyerson was in favor of raising taxes even higher to make up the necessary funds. In response, Meyerson stated that he would indeed be willing to raise taxes further if it were necessary, and that he remained resolute in his position.
Borough Manager Shawn Curran pointed out that while it is not “out of character” for Chalfont Borough to rely on the reserve, that does not necessarily mean such budgeting practices are the best or the most financially stable practices in the long run.
At the same time, Curran sided with Jacobson, in that Meyerson’s concern should have been brought up much sooner if the budget were to be adjusted.
Meyerson won reelection to his borough council seat last month, along with Michael Kelly.
Councilmen Michael Beebie and Mark Glidden, meanwhile, did not receive enough votes to be reelected. Soon-to-be council members Lisa Cardinale and Dan Colbert will be seated in January.
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