East Fallowfield Township Board of Supervisors Adopts 2024 Township Budget
PUBLIC INPUT AND APPROVAL OF BUDGET:
East Fallowfield Township’s Board of Supervisors approved the 2024 Township Budget at their meeting on December 12, 2023. At the December meeting, Township Manager, Scott Swichar, highlighted the Township’s commitment to public input and stated that there have been numerous opportunities throughout the budget process to provide input. Public meetings were held on October 10, October 24, November 14, and December 12.
NO GENERAL FUND TAX INCREASE; SLIGHT MILLAGE INCREASE FOR FIRE/EMS:
Swichar noted that there is no millage increase in the General Services Fund (which pays for the operation, personnel costs, and general expenditures of Township government). However, the 2024 budget was adopted with a slight increase in the Fire/EMS Fund of .75 mills (from 1 mill to 1.75 mills). The millage increase will fund Modena Fire Company and Westwood Fire Company operations both of which provide essential fire protection and emergency medical services to residents of East Fallowfield Township. The increase, which aims to address critical public safety needs, is broken down as follows: 0.69 millage specifically for Fire Protection and 0.06 millage specifically for Advanced Life Support (ALS) Services.
FUNDING FOR ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT:
The 0.06 mill increase will provide funding to Westwood Ambulance Service for Paramedic/Advanced Life Support medical coverage, ensuring comprehensive emergency medical services for the entire Township. This step was necessitated by the sudden relocation of paramedic units by Tower Health and regional hospital closures.
TRANSITION TO PAID FIREFIGHTERS:
In response to the diminishing number of volunteer firefighters, the 0.69 mill increase will fund the hiring of full-time firefighters for Westwood Fire Company and Modena Fire Company. This transition to paid firefighters aims to ensure reliable fire protection 24/7, supplementing the valuable work of volunteers, especially during periods with fewer available volunteers.
AVERAGE TAXPAYER IMPACT:
The average homeowner with a real estate assessed value of $136,116 currently pays $407.00 a year in Township Real Estate Property Taxes (General Purpose and Fire/EMS) for all township services. (Please remember that the “assessed” value is typically a much lower rate than the fair market value of a particular property). With the millage increase in the 2024 budget, the average taxpayer would see their annual township real estate tax bill increase to about $510, an increase of $103.
TRASH/RECYCLING COLLECTION FEE INCREASE
The Township’s contract with Waste Management expired on December 31, 2023, and there were no options to renew the agreement.
In order to find the lowest possible rate, the Township put the trash program out to bid in 2022, and again in 2023. As part of the Township’s competitive bidding process, five contractors bid on the Township’s trash and recycling collection contract. A.J. Blosenski was the low bidder on both the three-year and five-year contract options. East Fallowfield Township’s Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to award a three-year, $2,337,959.52 waste and recycling collection contract to A.J. Blosenski, Inc. (the low bidder).
While A.J. Blosenski’s contract will be more expensive than the previous multi-year contract with Waste Management, it is important to note that collection costs have increased industry-wide. As noted above, this provider offered the lowest rates submitted through the competitive bidding process.
Higher tipping fees for waste taken to the Chester County Solid Waste Authority landfill and an increase in processing fees imposed for recycling materials were two additional factors considered in determining the need to increase the trash fee. As a result of the increased costs incurred, the Board of Supervisors increased the 2024 trash fee by $140, from $310 (the annual fee in 2023) to $450 (the new fee in 2024).
EFFORTS TO MINIMIZE IMPACT
The Township undertook extensive efforts to avoid a significant increase in the costs associated with the hauler contract, while maintaining the existing level of service. For example, the Township purchased new 95-gallon recycling bins as an effort to cushion the impact of higher fees charged by trash haulers and to stabilize collection costs over the next several years. These bins are being funded by a $192,600 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
COMMITMENT TO FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
We want to assure you that the decision to raise the trash fee and Fire/EMS tax were only made after careful consideration. The Township's administration and staff have been actively working to reduce spending and pursue grant funding opportunities to stabilize finances and minimize the need for tax increases. We understand the importance of fiscal responsibility, and we are committed to continuing discussions on how to best control costs in 2024 to maintain a steady tax rate.
Your concerns are important to us, and we appreciate your understanding and ongoing support. We value the open dialogue with our community and remain dedicated to serving the best interests of East Fallowfield Township.
