Bucks County adopts budget that raises taxes by 2.2 mills

Confronted with “turbulent” economic conditions, Bucks County has adopted a $517 million budget for the new year that hikes real estate taxes by 2.2 mills, or $1.38 a week for the average household to balance a $16.4 million deficit.

In approving the pact, commissioners said the budget charts a course forward by funding crucial services, making critical capital improvements, and prioritizing education and public safety. The board also said passage comes at “the end of a turbulent year” marked by rising costs and economic uncertainty, as well as “intentional failure” by the state and federal governments to fund cinancial obligations on time.

“If a budget is a statement of your values, then this year we are making clear that we stand by the people of Bucks County,” said Bob Harvie, commissioner chairman. “With this budget we are pressing forward in our mission to make this government responsive to its people. That’s why we’re expanding the Human Services Hub, continuing our work to build a state-of-the-art Lower Bucks Government Services Center, finally meeting the commitment made to Bucks County Community College 50 years ago, and whoring up public safety initiatives.”

Harvie said his Administration has “worked hard” to keep economic stability in Bucks, and keep the property tax increase to about $6 a month for the average household.

Added Commissioner Vice Chairman Diane Ellis-Marseflia: “While the federal government is playing game with your tax dollars, this Administration remains committed to investing in the things county residents care about the most. Unfortunately, just like everyone else, county governments are burden by the weight of reckless trade policies and arbitrary tariffs, leveled seemingly at random, that serve only to inflict pointless pain on Americans while aggravating our allies around the world.”

She said the situation forced the County to draw $27 million from the fund balance to maintain mental health and other services administered under the Human Services umbrella to make an advance $4.6 million contribution  to Bucks County Community College to ensure it opened through that fall semester, and to lay out additional funding for food banks amid disruption to federal food assistance.”

While the county anticipates it will see reimbursement for much of what it spent to cover lapses in state funding, officials said new stresses are likely as the state budget finally passed in November includes cuts to mental health funding to counties at a time when more people are seeking help.

Also in the new budget are new investments in public safety. Chief among them is a $3 million required upgrade to the public safety radio system used 24/7 by first responders.