Newtown Passes 2014 Budget with Zero Increase

The Newtown Township Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the 2014 budget at a special supervisors’ meeting on Wednesday. 

The $8,092,043 budget includes a 2.73 percent tax rate, which is the same tax rate as the final 2013 budget. The millage rate will stay the same at 2.73 mills.

The average homeowner in Newtown Township, based on an average home assessed at $250,000, will pay $$682.50 in real estate taxes, Township Manager Mike Trio said.

Township expenditures for 2014 will total $8,091,382 while $8,092,043 is expected to be generated in revenue, bringing a difference of just $661.

One township supervisor, John Nawn, opted to accept township health benefits compared to three supervisors, who took the benefits in 2013, which helped with bringing down the township's expenditures, Trio said.

A few township residents however said at Wednesday's meeting that the zero increase was incorrect and did not allow for a "rainy day fund" for the township. 

Resident Nathan Glazer said the township's "bad habits" haven't gone away and the budget continues to be "managed by ignorance." 

The practice of any township supervisor accepting health benefits does not benefit the taxpayers and should be terminated, Glazer said during public comment at Wednesday's meeting. 

Resident Larry Fisher said the supervisors are proud of the zero tax increase but the rates are wrong and they are "sticking it" to the taxpayers regarding the medical benefits. 

"The future does look bright, but not if you don't manage the budget right," Fisher said.