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Finance committee weighs incremental public safety tax to shore up EMS, fire and police funding
Summary
Committee members discussed creating a dedicated incremental millage to fund EMS, fire and possibly police after an unexpected spike in ambulance costs; members agreed to research nearby municipalities and return with a fleshed-out proposal next month.
Brian McInness, chair of the Finance Committee, opened a discussion about creating a dedicated "public safety" tax to generate funds separate from the general fund for fire, emergency medical services and potentially police.
Finance director Barb Leanti and committee members said the idea stems from rising emergency-service costs and past occasions when the borough had to reallocate funds or forgo capital items. Committee members recounted that Good Fellowship Ambulance Company’s bill had significantly exceeded the budgeted amount, with figures discussed in the meeting ranging from about $290,000 to $350,000 for the year — far above the roughly $100,000–$120,000 the borough had planned to provide. Leanti also noted that West Chester University contributed $16,485 toward the 2025 ambulance contract.
Committee members clarified the plan would likely be an incremental millage on top of existing property taxes, not a reallocation of current revenue. "If we institute something along the ... some type of tax that could be passed unilaterally across the borough, we would be able to fill a fund that will offset the emergency services stuff," a committee member said, summarizing the argument for a dedicated revenue stream.
Members referenced other nearby jurisdictions that have dedicated public safety taxes — including Downingtown Borough, Phoenixville Borough, East Brandywine Township and New Garden Township — and agreed that staff should research those programs’ structures, implementation challenges and any complaints before drafting formal language. The committee recommended tabling the topic for one month while staff (Barb Leanti and others) gather more information and legal input, and return with a more developed proposal.
No formal vote or timetable for a public hearing was recorded in the transcript. The committee’s next step is for staff to research neighboring municipalities’ experience, consult the solicitor as needed, and present a proposal at a future meeting.
