Montco budget raises taxes 17 percent

In the first unanimous vote of a tumultuous four-year term, the Montgomery County commissioners approved a 2012 budget that will increase county property taxes by 17 percent. The tax increase is the first in ten years. The average homeowner with a property assessed at $168,000 will pay an additional $77 in taxes for a total bill of $530. A proposed budget unveiled last month would have cut spending by $14.6 million and called for the elimination of the planning commission and parks departments drawing outrage from county residents.

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 12/22/2011

County bond rating upgraded in error

Moody’s Investment Services recently announced that it erred when it released information that upgraded Montgomery County’s Aaa bond rating from “with negative outlook” to “stable.”  Moody’s had downgraded the Aaa bond rating of many state and local government agencies in August while it reviewed the impact the federal government’s financial situation may have on these governments. Moody’s released a list last week that upgraded many of the state and local governments under review but the list erroneously reported that Montgomery County’s rating was “stable.” The county had a “negative outlook” prior to August because county commissioners have continued to dip into cash reserves to balance the budget. Therefore, Moody’s has continued the “negative outlook” for the county bond rating.

Source: The Intelligencer; 12/14/2011

Horsham budget passed

Horsham council unanimously adopted a 2012 budget that will not increase taxes for property owners in the township. The property tax rate will remain at one mill, with a mill being a tax of $1 for each $1,000 in assessed property value. A home assessed at the township average of $178,128 will pay $178.13 in township property taxes. Of the one mill township real estate tax, 0.47 goes to support the library, 0.31 mills to the fire company, and 0.22 for parks and recreation.

Source: Public Spirit Willow Grove Guide; 12/16/2011

Abington adopts 5.37 percent tax increase

The Abington Township Board of Commissioners adopted the township’s 2012 budget with a 5.37 percent tax increase. The average home assessed at $150,000 can expect a tax bill of $588, a $30 increase over last year. The additional revenue from the tax increase will be used on a $2.7 million bond issue for drainage projects throughout the township. The 2012 budget is $780,000 less than the 2011 budget, with employees agreeing to a pay freeze to aid in the reduction of overall spending.

Source: Glenside News; 12/20/2011

Upper Dublin hikes taxes

In a 6-1 vote, the Upper Dublin Board of Commissioners adopted the 2012 budget, which includes a 5.91 percent tax increase. The township’s tax rate will rise to 5.231 mills and a home assessed at the average $195,000 can expect a township property tax bill of $1,020.05, about $56 higher than 2011.

Source: Ambler Gazette; 12/15/2011

View Larger Map
 

No tax increase in Lower Salford

Lower Salford supervisors unanimously approved a 2012 budget that includes no tax increase for the first time in three years. The township property tax rate will remain at 2.524 mills with one mill equal to a tax of $1 for each $1,000 in assessed property value. The board implemented many cost-cutting measures over three years including wage freezes, layoffs and health insurance restructuring. In other news, the Lower Salford Board of Supervisors is looking for letters of interest from residents interested in serving on the Planning Commission, Park Board or Recreation Authority. Find out more at www.lowersalfordtownship.org.

Source: Souderton Independent; 12/16/2011

Buying, Selling or Renting in The Greater Philadelphia Area

Buying, selling or renting a home in The Greater Philadelphia area can be a daunting process in a city this size, especially if you’re new       to town. You’ll need a resident expert to show you around and help     you   narrow down the areas where you might like to live. I will  help    you  find  the perfect home in the right area to fit your  lifestyle,    budget  and  needs! There are many area options to choose  from  including   Montgomery County, Bucks County, Philadelphia as well as other surrounding counties.

When I list and sell a Philadelphia area home for  my clients I strive to make the experience a pleasant one. My  mission is to provide outstanding service while utilizing the best  practices and systems available.  It is our goal to sell your home  in the   quickest amount of time, for the most amount of money and  for the least amount  of stress to you.

If you have tried to  sell your home on your own, have already listed with an agent but  were not able to sell, or have any questions about today’s real  estate market, we would love to talk to you.

We specialize in Philadelphia area homes, including, but not limited to:

• Montgomery County Single Family Real Estate -Montco Condos, Montco Short Sales and Foreclosures
• Bucks County Single Family Real Estate– Bucks Condos, Bucks Short sales and foreclosures
• Philadelphia Single Family Real Estate– Philadelphia Condos, Philadelphia Short sales and foreclosures
• ALL AREA RENTALS

For more information on how I can best serve your Greater Philadelphia real estate needs including Bucks and Montgomery Counties  please fill out the contact form below or give me a call at 215-646-2162

Montgomery County posts preliminary budget

The Montgomery County Commissioners voted 2-1 to post a preliminary $389.3 million budget that includes drastic cuts to departmental budgets to close a $40 million shortfall. The draft budget was prepared with no tax hike and maintains a cash balance of $20 million, a number below the recommended 10 percent required by bond rating firms to keep its Triple A bond rating. The draft plan would eliminate the planning commission and heritage sites department; end budget allocations to outside agencies such as the county library and Elmwood Park Zoo; and does not include a pay raise for county employees for the third straight year. Commissioner Joseph Hoeffel voted against posting the budget plan because he felt it was ‘unrealistic’. Commissioners Hoeffel and James Matthews favor a combination of spending cuts and a tax increase to close the budget gap. Commissioner Bruce Castor wants to consult with newly elected Commissioners Josh Shapiro and Leslie Richards before making a decision on raising taxes. The preliminary budget does not include a tax increase, however, it is estimated that a 28.6 percent tax increase would be needed to close the budget gap. A tax increase of that size would amount to about $130 more in taxes for the average homeowner. A public budget hearing is scheduled for Dec. 7 at 10 a.m. with final budget adoption scheduled for Dec. 21 at 10 a.m.  Visit www.montcopa.org to view and comment on the 2012 proposed Montgomery County budget.

Source: The Intelligencer; 12/1/2011 & Times Herald; 12/1/2011

Jenkintown passes anti-discrimination ordinance

Jenkintown Borough Council unanimously voted to establish an ordinance that makes it illegal to discriminate against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender residents in matters of housing, commercial property, employment and public accommodation. A four-member human relations commission will be created that will be responsible for mediation or referral of discrimination complaints. Jenkintown is the 25^th Pennsylvania municipality to adopt a local anti-discrimination ordinance that protects LGBT residents.

Source: Glenside News; 11/29/2011

North Penn discusses alternate method of delinquent tax collection

The North Penn School District Finance Committee recently discussed the possibility of using a law firm to recover money from property owners who are delinquent on their property taxes. The law firm would not charge the school district a fee to collect the delinquent taxes; instead the taxpayer would have to pay legal fees in addition to the delinquent property tax. Currently, the Montgomery County Tax Claim Bureau collects delinquent property taxes and charges the school district 5 percent. The current delinquent collections procedure takes over two years. North Penn School District is owed about $2 million in delinquent taxes.

Source: Times Herald; 11/24/2011

Pottstown budget plan includes 3.6 percent tax increase

Pottstown Borough Council approved a $38.9 million proposed budget for adoption that includes a 3.6 percent increase in property taxes. The .362 mill increase would raise taxes on the average home assessed in the borough by about $31. The borough will use $200,000 from reserves in addition to the increased tax revenue to balance the budget. The proposed budget is available on the Pottstown Borough website.

Source: The Pottstown Mercury; 11/30/2011

Lower Gwynedd proposes first tax increase in 16 years

Property taxes in Lower Gwynedd Township may increase for the first time in 16 years. The 2012 proposed budget would raise taxes from 1.117 mills to 1.223 mills, a 9.49 percent increase. A residence assessed at the township average of $350,000 would pay an additional $37.10 in taxes for a total bill of $428.05. Township Manager Larry Communale explained that a tax increase was necessary to replenish the township’s capital reserve fund, which has not seen any funding for the past several years. The proposed budget is available for review at www.lowergwynedd.org and at the township building. The supervisors are scheduled to vote on the budget at the Dec. 13 meeting.

Source: Ambler Gazette; 11/29/2011

Buying, Selling or Renting in The Greater Philadelphia Area

Buying, selling or renting a home in The Greater Philadelphia area can be a daunting process in a city this size, especially if you’re new       to town. You’ll need a resident expert to show you around and help     you   narrow down the areas where you might like to live. I will  help    you  find  the perfect home in the right area to fit your  lifestyle,    budget  and  needs! There are many area options to choose  from  including   Montgomery County, Bucks County, Philadelphia as well as other surrounding counties.

When I list and sell a Philadelphia area home for  my      clients I strive to make the experience a pleasant one. My  mission   is    to provide outstanding service while utilizing the best  practices   and    systems available.  It is our goal to sell your home  in the   quickest    amount of time, for the most amount of money and  for the   least amount  of   stress to you.

If you have tried to  sell your home on your own, have already listed      with an agent but  were not able to sell, or have any questions about      today’s real  estate market, we would love to talk to you.

We specialize in Philadelphia area homes, including, but not limited to:

• Montgomery County Single Family Real Estate -Montco Condos, Montco Short Sales and Foreclosures
• Bucks County Single Family Real Estate– Bucks Condos, Bucks Short sales and foreclosures
• Philadelphia Single Family Real Estate– Philadelphia Condos, Philadelphia Short sales and foreclosures
• ALL AREA RENTALS

For more information on how I can best serve your Greater Philadelphia real estate needs including Bucks and Montgomery Counties  please fill out the contact form below or give me a call at 215-646-2162