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Uwchlan supervisors adopt 2025 consolidated budget, set tax rate and approve multiple ordinances and contracts
Summary
At its Dec. 9 meeting the Uwchlan Township Board of Supervisors adopted the 2025 consolidated operating and capital budget, adopted a 2025 property tax-rate resolution, approved an ordinance to implement an earned-income tax for open space, set future supervisor pay rules and authorized several administrative actions; residents pressed the board over problems with a new contracted trash collection system.
Uwchlan Township supervisors voted unanimously Dec. 9 to adopt the township’s 2025 consolidated operating and capital budget and to set the tax rate needed to fund that budget, while approving a package of ordinances and administrative actions covering open-space funding, supervisor pay and service contracts.
The board adopted Resolution 2024-9 to approve the 2025 consolidated budget and then approved Resolution 2024-20 establishing the 2025 property tax rate. Chair opened each vote and the motions passed by voice vote with no recorded dissents. Supervisor Freed presented the measures during the business agenda.
Why it matters: the budget and tax-rate votes set the revenue and policy framework for township operations in 2025 and were paired with several implementation steps the board approved at the same meeting.
Key actions approved - Budget adoption: The board adopted the 2025 consolidated operating and capital budget as presented at the meeting (the total was read aloud during the vote; the meeting transcript reads the figure as “24 million 86,4”). - Tax-rate resolution: Officials said the tax-rate resolution preserves the existing general-fund rate, raises the hydrant tax slightly and introduces a new EMS tax intended to support Uwchlan ambulance operations; the board approved the resolution by voice vote. - Earned-income tax ordinance (Ordinance 2024-6): Supervisor Freed presented the implementing ordinance to enact the open-space earned-income tax approved by referendum in November; the board approved the ordinance after noting published exhibits and proof of publication. - Supervisor compensation ordinance (Ordinance 2024-7): The board approved an ordinance to set future supervisor compensation consistent with a recent General Assembly law; the ordinance applies only to supervisors elected or appointed after the ordinance’s effective date and was approved by voice vote. The ordinance text was read at the meeting and recorded in the transcript as setting an annual amount of “$691 15 per year” (transcription unclear; see clarifying details). - Personnel and operations: The board approved employee handbook updates (holiday, floating-holiday and dress-code policies); authorized advertising a sewer-rate ordinance that would set proposed quarterly rates at $125 per quarter; authorized advertisement of the 2025 road-paving project; authorized hiring two road/sewer employees; and authorized the township manager to enter a time-and-materials contract with the French & Pickering Creek Conservation Trust to advise on land-preservation priorities. - Land-use note: The board acknowledged written acceptance of conditional-use decision conditions from the applicant’s attorney for Calvary Chapel of Chester Springs’ expansion.
What board members said: Supervisor Freed introduced several ordinances and described the exhibits and public-notice steps taken before the hearings. During the tax-rate discussion the board emphasized the new EMS tax is intended to fund ambulance services. The chair and staff repeatedly noted that many items had been vetted in prior workshops and that published exhibits were part of the record.
Public comment and follow-up: After concluding the business agenda, residents pressed the board about the township’s newly contracted trash collection service and the deployment of large automated toters (96-gallon containers). Several residents and HOA representatives said the toters are difficult or impossible for seniors and residents with mobility or health limitations to move and asked for alternative options. Township staff said the contract has been signed after a public bidding process, that the HOA may opt out of township trash service, and that staff would continue to work with the hauler to explore smaller-toter options and other accommodations.
The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn and a unanimous voice vote. The board listed several upcoming meetings and holiday office closures; the planning commission and other bodies’ reorganization meetings are scheduled in January.
