Politics & Government

Springfield Taxes, Trash, Sewer Fees Going Up?

Commissioners consider offsetting a realtively small property tax increase with higher service fees.

Editor's Note: An earlier version incorrectly listed the change in trash and sewage rates. It has since been corrected. 

Property taxes could increase by about $22 per household, if the preliminary Springfield budget gets enacted. However, other fees could increase more drastically.

The Springfield Commissioners approved the preliminary budget Nov. 27 in a special meeting devoted exclusively to finance. They also gave the green light to raise sewer and trash collection fees. 

In preliminary documents shared by the township, Springfield proposes to increase the budget by $580,387—about a 3.6 percent rise—to $16,251,100. The millage rate goes up from 5.17 mills to 5.32 mills, which is 2.8 percent increase.

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That means the tax rate for Springfield property owners does not rise as sharply as the budget. Home owners should anticipate a $22 increase per average household assessed at $150,000.

However, trash disposal and sanitary sewer fees will significantly increase, if a proposed ordinance becomes law. The trash rate goes from $200 to $215, while the sewer fee is set to increase from $4.25 to $5.25 per 1,000 gallons of water consumed. 

Find out what's happening in Springfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Previously, Commissioners President Jeff Rudolph said rising costs to healthcare and pensions forced the township to grapple with creative financial options. Additionally, Delaware County raised sewer and trash fees, forcing the township's hand, he said.

In documents disclosed by the township, the following are the top five highest expenditures for the 2013 budget:

  • Police—$5.3 million
  • Employee Benefits-Misc.—$2.2 million
  • Rubbish Collection/Disposal—$1.8 million
  • Highway—$1.6 million
  • Administration and Engineering—$1.2 million

The commissioners will next meet Dec. 11.

Review the entire budget in the attached document.


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