At a recent borough council meeting, West Chester Borough Manager Sean Metrick presented a preliminary 2024 borough budget that might require tax and fee increases. The borough has gone eight years without a property tax increase. “Eight years not changing the tax rate is just not sustainable,” Metrick told council. “We should work together. There is a certain increase that has to happen.” Although Metrick said that the borough is moving in the right direction, council must also address its general fund being out of balance in the current 2023 budget by $557,290, or 3%. To generate that amount, the property tax revenue would increase by 0.33 mills. Metrick suggested other solutions: using the interest and dividends from the capital operating reserve as revenue; “smoothing” the health care refund; cutting spending; moving the street lighting expense to the liquid fuels fund; continuing to seek grants; and delaying replacements for staff vacancies. The sewer fund is out of balance by nearly $421,000, with income generated through a separate fee-based levy. Looking ahead, Metrick envisions general fund expenses increasing 2.4% to 2.7%, or an average of $628,000 per year, for 2025-2028. Metrick expects borough council to adopt a 2024 budget at the November business meeting.
Source: Daily Local; 9/21/2023