Phoenixville proposes 8.4 percent tax hike to cover budget shortfall

Phoenixville is staring down a $241,235 budget gap and borough council is considering an 8.4 percent tax increase to close it. The borough’s $6.9 million budget is too short to pay the expected $7.2 million in spending.

According to the Mercury, rising health and workers compensation insurance premiums, combined with the need to replace aging borough vehicles, have created the gap. That’s in addition to water and waste water fund shortfalls.

If the tax hike is approved, residents can expect to pay $37 more on a house valued at $100,00, a 55 cent increase per 1,000 gallons of water usage for the water fund and a 29 cent increase per 1,000 gallons usage for the waste water fund deficit. The budget will be discussed at a Nov. 29 council meeting.