Council approves budget with no tax hike

WEST CHESTER >> Borough Council at its December 14th regular meeting, approved the Borough’s 2017 budget. The $46.672 million total budget is balanced, as required by the Borough’s Home Rule Charter. The 2017 budget increased by 0.17% over the 2016 Borough budget.

There is no change in the Borough’s property tax millage rate, which remains at 6.96 mills, broken out as follows:

• 6.52 mills for general purposes • 0.29 mills for debt service

• 0.15 mills for the West Chester Library

The earned income tax rate remains at 0.5 percent for Borough wage earners. There is also no change in the Sewer Fee, which remains at the $26.00 minimum per month.

The 2017 budget contains the new Stream Quality Improvement Fee, which provides funding to address the new Pennsylvania mandated improvements to the quality of storm water.

Major cost increases included a 12 percent increase in Borough healthcare insurance costs, and 5.8% increase general and property/casualty insurance.

Details on the budget can be found at the Borough’s website at www.west-chester.com.

Budget highlights include the following:

• Implement Stream Quality Improvement Program and Fee

• Increase in Stormwater Infrastructure Capital Maintenance and Replacement Budget

• Increase in Sewer Collection System Preventive Maintenance

• Increase in Parking Facility Capital Maintenance

The earned income tax rate remains at 0.5 percent for Borough wage earners. There is also no change in the Sewer Fee, which remains at the $26.00 minimum per month.

• Increase in Wastewater Treatment Capital Maintenance

• Commence Renovation of Borough Hall

• New Police Operations, Detention, and Administrative facilitates

• Possible re-organization of Second Floor to improve efficiency of space, consolidate customer service, and increase safety

• Complete and Implement Borough-wide Master Parking Plan

• Community and Economic Development Planning

• Study/Plan of Action

• Implementation of Comprehensive Plan

• Zoning ordinance revision

• Subdivision and Land Development ordinance revision

• Wyeth/MU District/CS District Special Study

• Complete Implementation of Priority Based Budgeting

• Improved Internal and External Communication

• Website update

• Document Management Initiative

• Improved Snow Removal Operation

• Tracking Map and Additional equipment

• Park Improvements

• New Playground Equipment at Kathy McBratnie Park

• Sidewalk repairs at Marshall Square Park Personnel

• New Police Lieutenant Position