It could be lucky 13 for Hilltown residents.
The township Board of Supervisors has granted preliminary approval to a proposed municipal budget that would keep the local property tax rate the same for the 13th year in a row in 2024.
The three-person board that locally governs Hilltown still needs to grant final approval for the streak of no rate increases to continue. A vote is expected to occur following a public hearing – in which residents can ask questions and offer comments – at the Nov. 27 supervisors meeting, officials said.
Should supervisors green-light the 2024 budget as proposed, the municipal tax rate would remain 8.75 mils. A mil is equal to $1 of every $1,000 of a property’s assessed value.
To calculate the municipal tax on a Hilltown property under the proposed millage rate, multiply the assessed value of the property by 8.75 and then divide by 1,000.
For instance, a Hilltown property assessed at $60,000 will have a township real estate tax bill of approximately $525 under the 2022 rate.
County and school district taxes comprise bigger portions of one’s property tax payout. The township does not control those taxes.
Like other municipalities, Hilltown also collects an earned income tax (EIT). The township’s percentage take of the EIT would, as detailed in the 2024 spending plan, remain 0.5%.
The general fund portion of the 2024 budget would tally $7,893,055, if approved as proposed. The general fund draws on tax dollars and other funding sources to support essential services like police protection, public works, township administration and more.
Township Manager Lorraine Leslie spearheads the creation of the annual budget, which fuels municipal operations. She noted that Hilltown has its eye on a few key expenditures for next year.
“We’d like to replace certain older trucks and police vehicles if possible,” she said, “but there are still supply issues with procuring equipment. We’ll have to see.”
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