New Hope proposes no tax hike

A public hearing on the proposed $3,693,163 spending plan will be held Dec. 20.

By: Linda Seida
   NEW HOPE — Residents will see no increase in municipal taxes in 2007, according to a preliminary budget released by the Borough Council.
   Spending will increase by 2.7 percent for total expenditures of $3,693,163. That represents an increase of $94,195 over the 2006 budget of $3,598,968.
   The owner of a house assessed at the borough average of $47,409 will pay $461 in municipal taxes — the same amount as in 2006.
   A public hearing on the proposed spending plan is scheduled for Dec. 20.
   The proposed tax rate for 2007 is 9.725, the same as in 2006. One mill is equal to approximately $58,246. For the average assessment of $47,409, the tax bill would be $461 (.009725 multiplied by the average assessment).
   Seven mills is earmarked for the general fund, 1.5 mills for the fire protection fund, 0.725 mills is for the street lighting fund and 0.25 mills each for the library fund and the ambulance and rescue fund.
   Expenditures are divided between an operating budget and a capital budget. The operating budget will increase by $174,549, primarily because of the $75,000 needed for a revitalization planning study. The capital budget, which authorizes specific projects such as major equipment or land acquisition, will decrease by $80,354.
   According to an explanation of the budget written by borough Manager John Burke, the Revitalization Committee anticipates winning a $75,000 state grant to pay for a planning study that offers increased river access and to create a public/private partnership to restore the Bucks County Playhouse.
   Among other increases in the operating budget is $14,830 for the fire marshal’s office, bringing this expenditure to $35,887, and $6,000 in startup funds to update the borough’s 1997 comprehensive plan.
   Also, an additional $41,837 is allocated for the Public Works Department’s purchase of a skid steer loader, a machine for digging and grading.
   Among the expenses listed in the capital budget, improvements totaling $245,000 are planned for the borough’s new park on Ferry Street, Lenape Park, of which $120,000 comes from a grant.
   Also, more than $260,000 in grants will fund a lighting project on Bridge Street and the replacement of several traffic signals. An SUV for police will total $27,000, and sidewalk improvements at the Visitor’s Center will total $6,500.
   Sources of revenue include grants totaling $872,469; the earned income tax, $475,000; parking meter fees, $320,000; the real estate transfer tax, $200,000; business privilege tax, $90,000; rents, $118,100; motor vehicle code fines, $346,200; permits, $76,900; and business licenses, $50,400.