The proposed preliminary budget for the 2011-2012 school year in Spring-Ford presented a variety of problems, the most significant being a $10.4 million deficit. School administrators are hesitant to discuss a tax increase since the budget is still in the planning stages. Expenses are increasing as revenues continue to fall. The district will face even… [Read more…]
January 15, 2011
Upper Dublin administrators presented the school board with a proposed preliminary budget for the 2011-2012 school year. The preliminary plan includes a proposed tax hike of 5.85 percent
January 15, 2011
Radnor Township School District must face “brutal facts,” including what some officials say is a “structural problem” with how the district is funded and how it spends money according to Superintendent of Schools Linda Grobman. For example, by the year 2015-16 the school district could spend almost the same amount on benefits as it will… [Read more…]
January 11, 2011
Recently the New York Times printed an interesting article on the concept of “recasting” as a means of lowering mortgage payments. From the article: “A little-known strategy, called “recasting,” or “re-amortization,” is available through some mortgage lenders and servicers. It involves paying off a lump sum of the principal amount and asking to have the… [Read more…]
December 23, 2010
Based upon recently released census figures, Pennsylvania will lose one congressional seat in the next two years. Although the state population increased,
December 23, 2010
The Lower Merion Township board of commissioners adopted a 2011 budget that includes a 10.8 percent increase in the township real estate tax. This translates to a real estate tax increase of $116 for the median home in the township with a property assessment of $283,000, for a total township real estate tax bill of… [Read more…]
December 23, 2010
Lower Merion became the 18th Pennsylvania municipality to ban discrimination based upon sexual orientation, gender identity or expression with the unanimous adoption of an anti-discrimination ordinance. The ordinance also creates a Human Relations Commission to handle and investigate complaints. The ordinance provides new protections to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens in the areas of… [Read more…]
December 23, 2010
Edgmont Supervisors approved the 2011 budget, which calls for a tax increase equating to about $15 annually for the average assessment. The total tax rate is .7202 mills, or approximately $212 for a home assessed at $295,000. Township Manager Samantha Reiner said the need for a modest tax increase resulted, for the most part, from… [Read more…]
December 23, 2010
Aston Commissioners adopted a 2011 millage rate of 4.00 mills, reflecting an increase of .35 mills more than the 2010 budget. A homeowner with a residence assessed at $200,000 will pay $800 in real-estate taxes in 2011; an increase of $70 over last year. The service fee will remain the same at $220 per single-family… [Read more…]
December 23, 2010
The Nether Providence Board voted in favor of a fiscal plan that will boost taxes by 4.97 percent, to 4.09 mills. Commissioner Michael Dougherty, who chairs the Finance and Administration Committee, said the change will translate into a $44 township tax increase for a property assessed at $200,000. The township’s annual sewer rate for 2011… [Read more…]
December 23, 2010
West Goshen Township supervisors approved a 2011 budget Wednesday that includes a $1.4 million shortfall that officials will cover using a reserve fund. Supervisors agreed unanimously to approve the budget, which forecasts $12.4 million in revenues and $13.8 million in expenditures. The board said it was able to avoid a tax increase because of a… [Read more…]
December 23, 2010
Chester County commissioners adopted a 2011 budget Tuesday that calls for no county property tax increase, but makes cuts in spending at Pocopson Home, reduces the amount of planned borrowing for the county’s open space preservation program, and forgoes staff salary increases for the second year in a row. County commissioners said they were pleased… [Read more…]
December 23, 2010
The 2011 fiscal year will mark the 25th consecutive year the township has gone without an increase in its real estate tax rate. Real estate taxes in the township have been hit hard during the current economic downturn. According to Township Manager Doug Hanley, in the three years prior to 2010, the township collected an… [Read more…]
December 23, 2010
Upper Uwchlan Township supervisors approved a budget that includes a cushion of more than $400,000. The township will not increase taxes once again. The last time taxes were increased was 2006. The township’s total budgeted expenditures for 2011 are $5.4 million, which is nearly $300,000 less than what was budgeted for 2010. Anticipated revenues for… [Read more…]
December 23, 2010
West Chester Borough Council agreed to increase real estate taxes by 20 percent for 2011 instead of implementing a 7 percent tax increase and new trash fees. Council agreed to eliminate its proposed “pay as you go” trash bag system in exchange for a 20 percent property tax increase along with various parking alterations. The… [Read more…]
Questions & Answers
January 24, 2011
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