The West Rockhill Board of Supervisors, on Wednesday, Oct. 15, considered the township’s 2025-2026 budget proposal with a 17.5% funding increase for the Pennridge Regional Police Department.
Under the proposed budget, Pennridge Regional Police Department funding would increase from $1.3 million to $1.5 million. Chief Paul Dickinson has attributed the increase to rising health insurance costs, raises, the hiring of a new full-time officer, and the purchasing of a new vehicle.
Since 2017, PRPD budget increases have consistently outpaced revenue growth, with the PRPD budget growing by an average of 4.2% and revenue growing by an average of 3.8%, said township manager Greg Lippincott. Last year, the board approved a 6.7% PRPD budget increase.
Lippincott said that the PRPD budget is projected to increase to $2 million by 2030, averaging 8.7% annual increases. He added that the PRPD budget would increase from 40% to 56% of the township general fund by 2030, resulting in a $200,000 reduction to the township services fund.
While the township has absorbed past PRPD budget increases, board members cautioned that this year’s increase will likely necessitate a tax hike.
“We can’t kick the can down the road and all of a sudden have a major increase five years from now,” said Supervisor David Collingwood. “It may have to be an incremental increase in taxes.”
“We have eaten three, four percent increases over numerous years, even 6.7% last year, but you can’t eat 17.5%. That’s a lot of money,” added board chairman Jay Keyser. “Next month, we will have to make a serious decision on what to do.”
The proposed final budget will be discussed at the board’s November meeting, with adoption scheduled for December.
Warrantless arrest ordinance
The board authorized a draft 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 said that the ordinance can “legitimize” an arrest for more serious offenses, such as illegal firearm or drug possession.
“You can place them under arrest and search that person pursuant to an arrest,” said Keightly. “You are now allowed to use that evidence for the more serious case.”
A hearing on the ordinance will be held at the board’s November meeting.
Pennridge Senior Center
East Rockhill Supervisor Dave Nyman gave a presentation on the Pennridge Senior Center. Located at 146 E. Main St., the center offers a range of activities, programs and resources for seniors, including billiards, ceramics, line dancing, a book club, health screenings, tax preparation, insurance counseling, in-house lunches, educational forums, blood drives and more. Nyman said that the bulk of the center’s funds comes from local municipalities and fundraisers. He added that membership is $20 per year, but that anyone over 55 can access the center.
Circle Drive Road resurfacing
The board approved a letter declining a Telford Borough Authority request to tar and chip Circle Drive Road in lieu of a full mill and overlay. TBA has argued that tar and chip will decrease the cost for property owners. The township, however, requires TBA to perform a full mill and overlay. The letter additionally discourages TBA from passing the cost onto property owners.
Planning Commission Chair Chris Derstine informed board members of a newly-proposed data center at 215 Cathill Road by National Land Developers. The proposal includes two 150,000-square-foot buildings and approximately 18 employees per shift. The Commission took no action as it awaits a formal plan.
The board also tabled conditional preliminary and final approval of a new six-lot housing development at 204 Camp Rockhill Road due to an ongoing dispute over the inclusion of shared driveways.
The next West Rockhill Board of Supervisors meeting is on November 19 at 7 p.m. For more information, visit westrockhilltownship.org.
