Chester County Real Estate News at A Glance: Week of October 26th
Easttown residents opposed to Earned Income Tax
Facing a forecasted operating deficit of as much as $1 million for 2010, the township has been exploring the implementation of one or more Act 511 taxes (often referred to as “nuisance taxes”) including an Earned Income tax (EIT)—an unpopular revenue-generator in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Many of the 250 residents who attended the last Board of Supervisors meeting told the board that it should consider cuts before raising the existing property taxes or implementing new taxes. The municipality was hit hard in its realty transfer tax revenue this year, which has served as 20 percent of the township’s annual operating revenue.
Source: Main Line Suburban Life; 10/21/09
WCASD tax hike may exceed state cap
Although the state has set the West Chester Area School District’s 2009-2010 Act 1 index to 2.9 percent, taxpayers may see a school tax increase of more than 2.9 percent. The millage increase could be as high as 5.24 percent, according to district officials. Last year, for example, the school district’s Act 1 index was set at 4.1 percent, but the school board, because of exceptions, was able to raise taxes in the Chester County portion of the district by 5.9 percent. This year, the West Chester district had expected to have one exemption, which would have applied to $418,000 of the interest the district pays on the bonds it issues. But on Monday, district officials announced that the district could potentially qualify for two more exemptions: a $1.6 million retirement contribution exemption and a $1.1 million special-education exemption. The Pennsylvania Department of Education must approve these exemptions. If it does, the school board could raise millage by 5.24 percent without first holding a taxpayer referendum, officials said.
Source: Daily Local; 10/23/09
Upper Uwchlan officials appoint new manager
After going more than seven months without a township manager, Upper Uwchlan supervisors unanimously appointed a new manager Monday night. The board selected Cary Vargo to fill a spot vacated in March after the board fired John Roughan Jr. Vargo’s annual salary will be $95,000 for a 90-day probationary period, after which his pay rate would jump to $100,000 a year. Vargo comes to Upper Uwchlan after serving as township manager in Thornbury for more than two years. Prior to that, Vargo served as a Coatesville police corporal. He had served on the force for eight years.
Source: Daily Local; 10/20/09
Chester County lands $4.6 million stimulus grant
Chester County Commissioners Chairman Terence Farrell announced the county has received a $4.6 million federal stimulus grant. The grant will cover the cost of 17 projects intended to make county facilities more energy efficient. The money will be used for energy audits, LED lighting, solar panels and more efficient heating and cooling systems.
Source: Main Line Suburban Life; 10/21/09
West Chester officials recommend council mandate rear house numbers
Three of Borough Council’s committees voted this week to recommend that council pass a regulation that would require borough residents to put their addresses on the back of their properties. Council members said this regulation would make it easier for police, firefighters and drivers of emergency medical service vehicles to identify houses. This is especially true, they said, in the case of homes that have rear alleys where emergency vehicles sometimes need to travel. Rear addresses could also make it easier for the codes department to identify homes with backyard code violations.
Source: Daily Local; 10/17/09
