Fire & EMS Tax Survey Results

To meet the increasing financial needs of fire and ambulance services, on July 11th, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed Regular Session 2023-2024 House Bill 2310, which authorized increased millage rates for annual taxes levied by Townships of the Second Class for Fire Protection and Emergency Services from 3 mills to 10 mills. For more about that, read “Millage Rate Limits Raised for Dedicated Fire & EMS Taxes”.

The Newtown Board of Supervisors can enact an ordinance authorizing the levy of up to 10 mills of fire tax annually and up to 5 mills of emergency services tax annually without specifying the actual tax rate. The actual tax rate, however, for each given year would be decided by the Board during its year-end budgeting process.

NOTE: For the average Newtown Township homeowner, a 1 mill yearly real estate tax amounts to about $39.00. Calculate Your Yearly Newtown Township Tax...

Survey Results

Should Newtown Township authorize this new limit in Fire and EMS Services Tax? And if it does, should it actually increase these taxes and by how much? I hosted a survey, which asked residents what they thought. A summary of the results is presented below.

A total of 40 responses were made. Ninety percent (90%) were from Newtown Township residents and 10% from Borough residents.

Q1: Should Newtown supervisors enact an ordinance that authorizes the township to levy up to 10 mills of fire tax annually and up to 5 mills of emergency services tax annually? (NOTE: This ordinance would not specify the actual tax rate. See Q2.)

Comments from Respondent Who Said “Definitely Not!”

The majority (53) of ALL respondents and 50% (20) of Newtown Township respondents answered “Definitely Not!” to Q1. Selected comments from these respondents are presented below:

“Our taxes are already too high. Cut the budget elsewhere.”
“Why would you authorize the tax capability if it’s not needed? Once authorized, it will be a blank check at budget time. 10 mils plus 5 mils equals 15mils times $44 is $660 per year for the average household, this seems super excessive.”
“We are being squeezed by high prices for food, utilities and now taxes. We have to draw the line somewhere.”
“If it means higher taxes forget it! My Township taxes were $50 for eight years (2008-2016)--NO INCREASE; The next eight years-they increased to $269--over 500% what they were in 2016. While I an understand small yearly increases, a 500% increase is quite a SHOCK, especially when the cost of good, electricity has also increased. Does the township think we're made out of money? When will it stop????”
“How about you sell Off the grandiose trucks and municipal vehicles that are not needed if you need more money for fire and ems. It would be nice to see how you can reduce that budget instead of gouging the tax payer. How about any surplus in tax revenue for the year you save it instead of spending it on items not needed. Enough is enough.”
“The answer to everything you guys do as tax us more. How about getting efficient and funding savings in other places to pay for things you want.”

Obviously, none of these respondents would be OK with ANY tax increase if this ordinance was enacted (see Q2 below).

Comments from Respondent Who Said “Yes, Definitely!”

Only 18% (7) of ALL respondents (all 7 are township residents) answered “Yes, Definitely” to Q1. Here are the comments received from this group:

“I support a fire and EMS tax increase- you must make clear to residents that the Township tax is the one we pay in the spring, not the school and county tax - our taxes are very low and far fewer people volunteer for fire and ambulance as our community changes. It is essential to maintain property values by having a professional fire/ems service.” This respondent would be OK with a 1 mill tax increase (see Q2 below).
“[I] Also [support] a tax dedicated to preserving what little open space is still around in the township” This respondent would be OK with more than a 2 mill tax increase (see Q2 below).
“We need to pay what it takes to get the high quality services we need. Taxes are not a bad thing if they pay for the important needs of our community.” This respondent would be OK with more than a 2 mill tax increase (see Q2 below).
“Money spent on emergency services is money well spent. Having seen our emergency services respond, I believe they are phenomenal - not only the fire services and EMS but also the police. They deserve our full support and we should be thankful we have them.” This respondent would be OK with a 2 mill tax increase (see Q2 below).

Comments from Respondent Who Said “Maybe, It Depends”

Finally, 28% (11) of ALL respondents (all 11 are township residents) answered “Maybe, It Depends” to Q1. Here are the comments received from this group:

“Need additional insight on how effective would the increases be.” Meanwhile, this respondent would be OK with a 1 mill tax increase (see Q2 below).
“It would be better to establish a x amount based upon funding needs for the next 5 years vs a reactionary up to 10 and 5 mills. I don't want to incentive bad behavior of short falls and threats to cut service vs 5 year plans and being on budget to provide an appropriate level of service. Township and Burrough (pay the same amount), Wrightstown (pays a bit 3-5% more).” This respondent would be OK with a 2 mill tax increase (see Q2 below).
“Always interested to know if our fire and ambulance service also covers other areas (Wrightstown?) and if so are they contributing their fair share. Would like to know that before determining what any increase should be. It feels like we are over funding the police services for other communities and don’t want it to happen here as well.” This respondent would be OK with a 1 mill tax increase (see Q2 below).
“If you cut spending in another area to offset new spending, go for it. If you’re piling this on top of existing spending and on top of increased spending on other budget items, definitely NO. The solution to everything isn’t a tax increase. Get runaway spending under control first. In the end we’ve seen these surveys have 0 impact on how the board votes. Tax increases always pass here.” This respondent would NOT be OK with any tax increase (see Q2 below).
“Just because the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed this measure it shouldn't flow automatically to amending Township ordinances unless there's an identified need to do so. “The Township can do this in the future, it doesn't have to be done today! Increasing local taxes should be based on specific need. Once passed, it becomes too easy to simply increase the tax.” This respondent would NOT be OK with any tax increase (see Q2 below).
“Is there a plan to use these funds?” This respondent would be OK with a 1 mill tax increase (see Q2 below).

Q2: If Newtown enacts an ordinance to allow these tax increases, how much of an increase - if any - should it levy in future budgets?

Comments in response to Q2:

“Why is this needed for 2025? how urgent is the above topic?” This respondent would be OK with a 1 mill tax increase.
“Now that all services have tax based funding no more begging should be allowed for Newtown Police, Fire or EMS.” This respondent would be OK with a 2 mill tax increase.
“So, does Newtown township foot the fire and EMS cost for everything that happens on the bypass? Is there any funding from the state for this being a state road? Do the emergency services seek or receive any reimbursement from responsibility parties insurance? Does Middletown township respond to accidents on their side of the bypass? The question applies to Newtown PD, is Newtown PD legally responsible for policing the bypass? We invested in license plate readers etc, which are more of a regional benefit, rather than a direct benefit for Newtown township. As the police, fire and ems costs keep increasing, is Newtown providing too much goodwill?” This respondent would NOT be OK with any tax increase.
“With all the new business coming to newtown, the township should be taxing them not residents. Newtown has become so congested and so overpopulated in the last five years there’s no reason to raise taxes. Where is the money coming from?” This respondent would NOT be OK with any tax increase.
“We just had an increase to the emt fire services last year. Make 1 mil increase work.” This respondent would be OK with a 1 mill tax increase.
“You've raised taxes high enough.” This respondent would NOT be OK with any tax increase.
“Give us a break for one year, no increases! It has been every year recently and too much for those of us who are retired on social security. Thank you.” This respondent would NOT be OK with any tax increase.
“As much as I appreciate our emergency services, we should also be cognizant that we live in difficult economic times and the tax burden needs to be carefully thought out as to not put any resident in financial straights.” This respondent would be OK with a 2 mill tax increase.
“Find savings to fund things you want to do.” This respondent would NOT be OK with any tax increase.

Tax Increase Haiku

On fixed income…

I'm barely making it now!

Tax too high for us