Federal figures show surge in homelessness
Figures recently released by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) show the number of homeless people in the U.S. jumped 12% from 2022 to 2023 as pandemic spending expired. The report found 653,100 people were experiencing homelessness — the highest level on record since HUD started the counts in 2007. The figures provide a snapshot of the number of people in shelters, temporary housing and in unsheltered settings. "Homelessness is solvable and should not exist in the United States," HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge said in a statement. "We've made positive strides, but there is still more work to be done. This data underscores the urgent need for support for proven solutions and strategies that help people quickly exit homelessness and that prevent homelessness in the first place." Read the report here.
Source: The Center Square; 12/18/2023

Pennsylvania’s budget impasse ends, home-repair program goes unfunded
Pennsylvania’s budget impasse ended after the divided state legislature agreed to send millions of dollars to community colleges and libraries, fund public legal defense, and create a student teacher stipend. Three budget-enabling code bills, plus dozens of other pieces of legislation, passed with broad bipartisan support, marking a sudden end to five-and-a-half months of deadlock. The budget bills create a handful of new programs, many of which had been prioritized by state House Democrats, including ones that would more than triple the size of Pennsylvania’s child care tax credit and add preventative dental care to the state’s Medicaid program. Other programs caught in the code bill delay, such as the stipends, indigent defense funding, and state allocations to community colleges and libraries, ultimately received funding, though the delay caused hardships. The Whole-Home Repair Program, which provides grants to property owners who need to fund expensive maintenance projects like fixing leaky roofs, was not in the deal and will not receive the $50 million lawmakers agreed to spend earlier in the year. The bills were signed by Gov. Josh Shapiro.
Source: Gettysburg Times; 12/15/2023

Residents decry increased secrecy among towns, counties, schools
A resident in Volant Borough, located just north of Pittsburgh, was surprised to learn the borough council adopted a preliminary year-end budget with a 7% property tax increase despite no discussions at the public meetings on the proposed financials. The council’s silence leading up to the decision highlights what some observers say is a striking trend toward secrecy among local governments across the United States. From school districts to municipalities and counties, public access to records and meetings in many states has been worsening over time, open government advocates and experts say. Though laws governing open records vary from state to state, MuckRock — a nonprofit news site that files and shares public records requests — found that from 2010 to 2021, local governments’ compliance with records requests dropped from 63% to 42%. A local reporter’s request for Volant Borough’s preliminary budget was denied. Paula Kundsen Burke, attorney for the Pennsylvania chapter of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, said too many government officials in Pennsylvania operate under the presumption that the onus is on the requester to prove the record is public. That’s not the case. Records are presumed to be accessible, and the government is tasked to prove otherwise, according to Pennsylvania’s Right to Know Law.
Source: Daily Times; 12/19/2023

NAR lists some 2023 Realtor policy wins
The National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) federal advocacy team worked tirelessly in 2023 to protect the real estate sector and make progress on several priorities. Read about some of those advocacy wins on the NAR website.
Source: Nar.realtor; 12/2023 

Bucks County raises taxes in 2024 budget
In a series of votes on Dec. 20, Bucks County commissioners approved a $487 million budget for 2024 and raised taxes by two mills. The budget includes $486.8 million in expenses and $487.05 million in revenue, leaving a $250,000 surplus. The two-mill tax increase, from 25.45 mills in 2023 to 27.45 mills in 2024, is expected to raise nearly $17 million annually while adding about $60 to the average homeowner’s yearly tax bill. The increase should eliminate the need for additional tax hikes and stabilize finances at least through the end of the decade, according to Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia. The preliminary budget, which was the latest version posted on the county finance department page at the time of the final vote, included no tax increase. The commissioners split 2-1 on the budget and tax increase, with Commissioner Gene DiGirolamo dissenting. The full operating budget can be viewed on the county website.
Source: Bucks County; 12/20/2023

Doylestown adopts budget with tax increase
Doylestown Borough Council approved a 2024 budget that includes a three-mill tax increase to fund an increase in police costs to the Central Bucks Regional Police Department. The police department’s budget request was for additional funding to hire two new full-time officers. The tax increase will cost the average borough homeowner about $90. Although water rates will remain among the lowest in the region, the average quarterly household water bill will increase by $6.35 in 2024 as Doylestown Borough continues to take steps to address the PFOS/PFAS contamination crisis. See the full budget message here.
Source: Doylestown Borough; 12/2023

Dublin Borough to organize a municipal authority
Dublin Borough Council is considering a proposed Ordinance 337 related to the borough’s intention to organize a municipal authority for the purpose of “undertaking improvements and related administrative services for the benefit of the Borough of Dublin.” The ordinance names the authority as the “Dublin Borough Regional Authority,” appoints a governing body and creates the articles of incorporation. A copy of the proposed ordinance may be examined at Dublin Borough Hall, 119 Maple Ave. The council is scheduled to take action on the proposed ordinance at a meeting on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.
Source: The Intelligencer; 12/17/2023

Warrington to regulate bamboo
Warrington Township supervisors will hold a public meeting to consider a proposed ordinance amendment pertaining to bamboo. The new article will establish regulations for the planting and growing of bamboo, including: definitions, prohibitions, exceptions, regulations, removal, and penalties. Copies of the draft ordinance are available for inspection at the Warrington Township Building, 854 Easton Road. The draft ordinance will be considered in a hearing on Tuesday, Dec. 26, at 7 p.m. at the township building
Source: The Intelligencer; 12/17/2023 

County taxes stay level in Chesco’s $683.4 million budget for 2024
Chester County commissioners approved a 2024 consolidated budget of $683.4 million that keeps the county property tax rate at 4.551 mills. The consolidated budget includes a $613.3 million operating budget and a $70.1 million capital budget. The operating budget reflects a decrease in federal and state COVID and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grants, but an increase in real estate tax revenue due to growth in the county’s tax base. There is also an increase in personnel expenditures due to compensation increases, but a decrease in provider services due to the decrease in COVID and ARPA funds. The county will borrow $24.5 million to fund existing 2023 and new 2024 capital improvement projects. The full county budget is available here.
Source: Chester County; 12/7/2023

Historic Chase barn demolished in Chesterbrook
A developer's plan to demolish the historic Chase Road Barn near the Riding development in the Chesterbrook section of Tredyffrin Township has come to fruition. The property owner, Finery LLC of West Chester, obtained a township permit on April 17 to remove the barn at 355 Chase Road. Subsequently, the contractors, Green Bridge Development LLC, demolished the 1890 barn. The barn was located near the former Chase Road Swim Club, which closed in 2016. The property was originally part of the Green Valley Farm, owned by Alexander Johnson Cassatt, who bred horses there. Erin McPherson, Tredyffrin’s director of planning and zoning, said the developer followed the proper procedures, noting the township’s historic commission and historic preservation trust were notified. McPherson said the developer has not presented a plan for the property to the township. The property is zoned for rural conservation. An appeal of an ordinance change request about the property is pending in Chester County Court.
Source: Tredyffrin-Easttown Patch; 12/11/2023

West Chester council approves 5% property tax hike
West Chester Borough Council raised property taxes by 5% as part of its $35.7 million 2024 budget. The budget covers police, fire, emergency services, trash, recycling, streets, recreation and other services. The average taxpayer living in a house assessed at about $178,600 will pay an additional $70 a year in real estate taxes. Sean Metrick, borough manager, said the increase was required to fulfill staffing needs and provide the highest quality municipal services. The annual police budget amounts to $11.1 million. In 2024, the borough will fund 56 police officers. The fire department’s annual budget is about $466,700, and the emergency management department's services are about $158,300.
Source: West Chester Patch; 12/13/2023

Kennett Square Borough approves 2024 budget with tax increase
Kennett Square Borough Council approved a 2024 budget that will raise taxes by 1.2 mills. The increase comes, in part, from the library tax that was approved by residents in a referendum during the November election. The remainder of the tax increase is for the new fire and EMS contract with Longwood Fire Company, which will provide services for 2024. The agreement replaces the regional fire and EMS commission contract with surrounding municipalities that was expected to double in cost in 2024 and continue increasing year over year. Kennett Square Borough Council and Longwood Fire Company created a new contract for 2024 at the cost of about $751,700, plus a required fee of about $13,200 for the insurance and compensation for volunteer firefighters. The cost of the new contract is comparable to the commission’s expected cost, but it is expected to be a more cost-effective solution over the long term than the commission, and can be re-evaluated before the 2025 budget is approved next year. The general services contract agreement protects the borough from additional liability for any fire company’s service, and will create immunity for the borough as provided by the municipality under the law.
Source: Chester County Press; 12/12/2023

East Marlborough to consider dangerous tree removal ordinance
East Marlborough Township supervisors will consider adopting an ordinance that will create a new chapter in the township code, “Diseased, Dying, Dead, and/or Dangerous Trees.” The ordinance will provide regulations for the maintenance and removal of such trees located in any township right-of-way, specifically providing sections regarding purpose, applicability, cutting and removal of diseased and dangerous trees, and responsibility for costs. The draft ordinance will be considered at a public hearing on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, at 7 p.m. at the East Marlborough Township Building, 721 Unionville Road, Kennett Square.
Source: Daily Local; 12/19/2023