Norristown council adopts 2026 budget-related tax ordinances, raises real-estate rate 0.75 mills

Council approved the budget-related ordinances establishing Norristown’s 2026 real-estate tax rates after a presentation by municipal finance staff.

The finance presenter said the revised 2026 plan lowers an earlier advertised 1.00-mill increase to a 0.75-mill increase overall, changing the rate from 18.25 to 19.00 mills. The proposal pairs the tax change with a one-time use of fund balance to cover a reported budget gap of roughly $1.45 million and to absorb a pension-related expense. The presentation listed a general fund revenue figure reported at about $40 million, total expenditures near $47 million and a capital improvement plan of about $13.08 million.

Council voted to adopt Ordinance 25-08 to set the general real-estate tax component and Ordinance 25-09 to establish dedicated fire and EMS tax components; both passed on roll call with all members voting in the affirmative. The finance presenter said the split of the 19.00-mill total was described as 11.77 mills to the general fund, 7.16 mills for fire, and 0.07 mills for EMS. The presenter said the 0.75-mill change equates to an estimated $52.76 annual increase for a single residential property owner (as stated at the meeting).

Councilmembers who spoke during the discussion praised staff for lowering the advertised increase and asked that future councils consider a plan to avoid relying on fund balance, noting inflation and salary pressures. No amendments were offered and the roll calls recorded ayes for all members present.

The ordinances take effect per municipal rules; staff said budget and line‑item materials are in the council packet and that further implementation steps will follow in the new year.