Schwenksville Borough Meadow Park. Photo by James Short.
The increase would generate about $7,000 in revenue for Lower Frederick Fire Company.
Schwenksville Borough Council are in the midst of preparing a proposed $2.43 million balanced budget for 2025 that includes a fire tax millage increase to 0.50 mills, meant to generate $7,000 for Lower Frederick Fire Company.
Borough council has recently discussed the fact that the Schwenksville fire tax has remained at 0.36 mills for more than 20 years. Within that time frame, Council President Chris Melville told PerkValleyNow, the cost of a fire truck alone has soared from $400,000 to $1.2 million.
“Additionally, during this time, available grant funding from state and federal sources has remained constant – unadjusted for rising costs and inflation,” he said. “Simply put, the fire company has been receiving a steady tax revenue, while our costs – as well as everything else – have been increasing.”
Melville said the proposed millage increase from 0.36 to 0.5 mills will yield about $7,000 more for the fire company from the Borough.
“This increase equates to an average of $10 per home in the Borough,” he said.
Lower Frederick Fire Company – a full volunteer fire company – serves Schwenksville Borough and Lower Frederick Township with fire protection services for more than 6,200 residents. On average, the fire company responds to 200 calls a year.
According to Melville, the fire company’s annual budget is around $275,000, with about $113,000 coming from real estate tax revenue. The remainder is supported by fundraisers and donations.
Currently, the fire company operates a 1999 pumper engine, a 2015 ladder truck, a 2002 field/brush fire truck, and a 2022 command vehicle, per Melville.
“The tax increase,” he said, “will help support their efforts in replacing the 1999 Engine, which has been estimated to cost upwards of $1.2 million.”
The proposed budget has $711,098 in expected revenue and $689,395 in expenses, leaving a surplus of $21,703 for next year.
The General Fund includes salaries for the manager, for which a search for a new one is currently underway, and administration and treasurer, and tax collector, as well as expenses for engineering, legal, code enforcement, storm sewer repairs, insurance, and a capital fund contribution of $80,000.
The capital projects fund, however, would have a $58,460 deficit. Expenses are proposed at $1.685 million.
“The Capital fund is our larger projects, and slated for 2025 is continuation of the FEMA Centennial Street Flood Mitigation Survey, the Game Farm Road traffic signal replacement, the Maple/3rd Street and Summit Avenue storm pipe replacement, and repaving,” Council President Chris Melville told PerkValleyNow. “These projects are mostly or entirely grant funded by various sources.”
Schwenksville’s American Recovery Act Funds (ARPA) will be closed out by the end of the year, with $15,739 remaining.
“The ARPA funds were distributed previously, and have been fully allocated to projects. The balance of this account is earmarked towards replacement of the stairs between Meadow Park and the Perkiomen Trail,” Melville said.
The budget shows $11,000 in donations in the borough Activity Fund to be spent in 2025 and the Fire Co. Museum Fund expects $600 in revenues, with a $100 surplus.
“(These) funds are remaining from a gift from the fire department and it is used for museum maintenance,” Melville said.
