Doylestown Township . Photo by James Short.
Doylestown Township supervisors voted Tuesday night to adopt the township’s 2026 budget, approving a spending plan that includes a modest real estate tax increase of 0.25 mills, while projecting continued financial stability and a surplus driven by strong earned income and transfer tax revenues.
Township Manager Stephanie J. Mason said the final budget had been available for public review for more than 20 days and remained largely unchanged from the preliminary version previously approved by the board.
“After the preliminary budget, which has been hanging now for over 20 days, it is ready for final adoption,” Mason said. “Some of the budget highlights that we have are the expected end of 2025 to be $1.2 million better than budget. Our strength is obviously in our earned income tax and our transfer taxes.”
The 2026 budget includes $17.9 million in operational revenue, $17.1 million in operational expenses, and $7.7 million in capital expenses, offset by $1.9 million in capital revenue, resulting in a projected $800,000 in positive net operational income.
To support operations and infrastructure needs, the township approved a quarter-mill real estate tax increase, bringing the total township millage from 21.85 mills in 2025 to 22.1 mills in 2026, a year-over-year increase of 1.14%.
Mason noted that under the township’s millage structure, one mill generates approximately $281,717 in revenue, meaning the quarter-mill increase produces about $70,000 in additional funding.
For the average homeowner, township documents show the increase equates to about $10.28 annually, raising the average township tax bill from $898.60 in 2025 to $908.88 in 2026.
Spending priorities
According to Mason, the budget continues funding across core municipal services while advancing long-term capital planning.
“In 2026, we’re including $17.9 million in operational revenue, including a quarter-mill real estate tax increase,” she said. “Everyone is dealing with a variety of different issues, but at the end of the day, we’re all looking to provide the best service to our residents, and that is our goal as well.”
Personnel costs remain the largest driver of operating expenses. The township cited a $600,000 increase in salaries tied to full-year staffing of new hires and contractual obligations, including a 4.5% increase for police. At the same time, fringe benefit costs are projected to be $200,000 lower than 2025, largely due to improved pension performance.
Capital spending in 2026 focuses heavily on parks, roads, public safety, and infrastructure, including completion of the Community Recreation Center park improvements, road and bridge maintenance, trail projects, traffic signal upgrades, and Kids Castle poured-in-place surface replacement.
Supervisor Nancy Santacecilia voted against the budget, citing the township’s projected surplus.
“We do have a $1.2 million surplus, and I don’t believe we should be raising taxes at this time,” Santacecilia said.
