The West Rockhill Board of Supervisors recently approved the advertisement of the township’s 2026 budget with a 34% tax increase.
The budget raises the township’s millage rate from 7.25 mills to 9.75 mills, amounting to an extra $79 per year for the average property owner.
The move marks the township’s first tax increase in 15 years. Board members said that the tax hike is needed to cover a 17% increase in the Pennridge Regional Police Department (PRPD) budget, which Chief Paul Dickinson has attributed to rising health insurance costs, raises, the hiring of a new full-time officer and the purchasing of a new vehicle.
Members added that the PRPD budget is projected to increase to $2 million by 2030.
“If we continue to kick the can down the road, the $79 is gonna increase substantially, and it’s gonna be sticker shock,” said Supervisor David Collingwood. “If we want to meet the funding for the police department, we’ve got to consider a way to do it. So let’s do a small tax increase [now] rather than a large increase in 2030.”
The budget also includes the standard $13,000 appropriation for the Holiday House pool and $2,500 appropriation for the Pennridge Senior Center as well as funding for road repairs. In addition, the board approved the West Rockhill Historical Society as a budget line item in homage to the Society’s rehabilitation of the Heritage House at James Memorial Park.
The final budget will be adopted at the board’s December meeting.
Warrantless arrest ordinance
The board approved an ordinance permitting PRPD to make warrantless arrests for certain summary offenses, including disorderly conduct, public intoxication, obstruction of highways and underage drinking. Township solicitor David Keightly has said that the ordinance can “legitimize” an arrest for more serious offenses, such as illegal firearm or drug possession.
Housing development proposals
John Sweriduk of the Planning Commission reported on a proposal by Select Properties for a 28-single-family home development between Ridge Valley Road and Lawn Avenue. The project would include a private road as well as a walking trail.
Sweriduk additionally reported on a second Select Properties proposal for a 42-townhome development on the southeast corner of Lawn Avenue and Ridge Road. The project would include a single access point off Ridge Road, a 16-foot-wide alley along the rear of the properties connecting to the garages and an emergency access road on Lawn Avenue.
In response to the second proposal, the Planning Commission raised concerns about potential traffic congestion on Ridge Road, said Sweriduk, adding that one resident complained about “Select Properties” fatigue due to the excess of Select Properties development proposals in the township.
The Planning Commission took no action on either proposal as it awaits more formal plans.
Conservation easements
The board approved a conservation easement for a 51-acre property at 1423 Ridge Road, appraised at 399,500. It additionally approved a donation of 41-acres of property off Joanna Drive and Forrest Road. The donation would establish easements around two homes on the property to prevent any additional development.
The board also granted a 30-day extension of approval for a new six-lot single-family home development at 204 Camp Rockhill Road due to an ongoing dispute between the board and the developer over the inclusion of shared driveways.
The next West Rockhill Board of Supervisors meeting is on December 17 at 7 p.m. For more information, visit westrockhilltownship.org
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