Citing several threats to the viability of New Garden Township, Township Manager Christopher Himes proposed a real estate tax increase beginning in 2024 that would raise tax rates for homeowners as much as 120%. During a supervisors meeting on Oct. 16, Himes proposed a scenario that would raise millage rates from 1.72 mills to 3.9 mills. In a 57-page report, Himes took a wide-angle look into the financial picture of the township over the past several years that necessitates the proposed tax increase. He told the board that over that time the township has been bereft of “a master guiding vision” for its future and has been content to merely “keep afloat.” The increase would boost revenues to $3.27 million beginning in 2024. Township supervisors are expected to finalize the budget at their Nov. 20 meeting and pass a motion to adopt the increase — or not — at their Dec. 18 meeting. Read more here.
Source: Chester County Press; 10/19/2023