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Limerick Township finalized its 2013 budget on Tuesday at their final meeting of the year. Next year's budget includes an increase from 1.516 mills to 1.895 mills, which is approximately a 25 percent increase.
On a house with the median value of $150,000, the yearly tax bill will increase $56.85 - from $227.40 to $284.25 - or about $4.73 per month.
The board passed the budget 3-1, with Supervisor Thomas Neafcy voting no. (Supervisor Ken Sperring was absent from the meeting.)
Neafcy said after the meeting that he voted no because the budget includes a tax increase.
Rezoning request
Spring Ford Country Club was granted rezoning on 27 acres adjacent to the club's property in a 3-0 vote. The property was zoned R-2, which is generally an agricultural classification, and the club requested it be changed to R-4, which will allow more residential development.
The club also agreed to a covenant that will limit development to 99 units or less and will prevent apartments from being built.
Roger Phillips, a member of the board of governors, told Patch that there are no definite plans for the property but the rezoning request would allow for more options.
Attorney Edward Skypala filled in as counsel due to a conflict of interest with township solicitor John Iannozzi's law firm. Supervisor Joseph St. Pedro also recused himself from the decision because he is an equity partner in the golf course.
Other business
The board passed an ordinance authorizing Montgomery County to collect delinquent real estate taxes on behalf of the township. Royersford Borough passed a similar ordinance in November.
The board also made a few announcements:
- The township is hosting a Red Cross Blood Drive on December 26 from 2pm-7pm. Appointments are requested. More information is available on the township website.
- Limerick Fire Department still has about 20 trees for sale in its lot. They will continue selling until Christmas Day or until all the trees are gone.
- Christmas tree dropoff will be available at Limerick Community Park until January 31, 2013.
- The Board of Supervisors will hold its reorganization meeting on Monday, January 7, 2013 at 7pm.
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Matt
9:25 am on Wednesday, December 19, 2012
How can you possibly raise taxes 25% when the economy is the way it is?
Bill
10:40 am on Wednesday, December 19, 2012
There is no excuse but mismanagement to raise taxes
Dennis Sparks
11:01 am on Wednesday, December 19, 2012
This is inexcusable. We have elected these supervisors to represent our interests. How anyone consider tax increases in these times is simply beyond belief.
Joan Lightkep
1:39 pm on Wednesday, December 19, 2012
25%! For what? Would like to know what warranted a tax increase during a depressed economic time. My congratuations to other townships that have the ability and fortitude to hold down spending; my only other congrats goes to Councilman Thomas Neafcy for his courage and empathy for the Limerick Township taxpayers.
truthsayer
5:17 pm on Wednesday, December 19, 2012
You ask "for what"? Well, one thing the money is needed for is payroll. I believe the most current police contract awarded officers with a nearly 10 percent increase over 3 years. I don't begrudge them a decent wage, but I don't know of any private sector employees doing as well as our public sector employees. Then, tack on a rather generous health care plan, and you can see where a substantial portion of revenue goes. Then, you often have the public works and administrative staff who often frame their contracts on what the police are awarded.
Government at all levels, is out of control. Government has become a machine that takes care of the public sector, at the expense of the private sector.
25% increases..."for what"? The increase is to grow government and continue the trend that a majority of the nation just voted for this past November. Government expansion at all costs, and most particularly, at the cost of the taxpaying citizen.
If you're outraged now, you don't have the stomach for what's to come in this country.