Nether Providence adopts 2026 budget, sets 3.7206‑mill tax rate and approves contracts and fee changes

Nether Providence Township commissioners on Dec. 11 adopted the 2026 budget and fixed the township tax rate at 3.7206 mills — a 3.49% increase over 2025 — when they approved Ordinance 866 by unanimous voice vote.

Assistant Manager Katie Kennedy presented the budget and told the board that more than two‑thirds of township revenue comes from property taxes, and that the township’s taxable base fell by about $6 million in 2025 after property assessment appeals. Kennedy said the township added roughly $200,000 in budgeted ambulance costs after the sudden closure of Crozer‑Chester Medical Center reduced regional EMS capacity; she reported a projected fund balance of $1.3 million at Dec. 31, 2026. "The tax increase for 2026 is 3.49%," Kennedy said during the presentation.

Major fiscal actions taken:

- Adopted Ordinance 866 (2026 budget and millage at 3.7206 mills), including non‑general funds and program allocations; vote recorded as 6 in favor.

- Adopted Resolution 2025‑27 adjusting the municipal minimum obligation for the police and nonuniform pension plans (police pension $378,600; nonuniform pension $88,452); motion passed 6‑0.

- Approved a one‑year extension of the public works Teamsters contract with a 4% wage increase and no other changes; motion passed 6‑0.

- Approved a master lease agreement with Bankorp for vehicle fleet financing and directed staff to obtain payoff information from Enterprise; motion passed 6‑0.

- Adopted Resolution 2025‑22 consolidating and closing several dormant bank accounts and creating a single capital reserve account to replace multiple reserve subaccounts; motion passed 6‑0.

- Adopted Resolution 2025‑28 to increase several permit fees and the zoning hearing board application fees (residential applications raised from $500 to $1,200; commercial from $750 to $1,500); motion passed 6‑0.

- Adopted Resolution 2025‑24 authorizing submission of a Delaware County CDBG application to widen and resurface a walking path at Hefford Park; public hearing was opened and closed with no public comment.

- Adopted Resolution 2025‑25 setting the annual residential recycling fee at $116 and Resolution 2025‑26 setting the annual sewer rental charge at $688 per unit for 2026; both motions passed unanimously.

Commissioner Max Cooper earlier reported positive early revenue for township‑supported ALS operations: "in October we brought in $31,000 in revenue and in November it almost doubled to $61,000," he said, while cautioning that one month of data is not dispositive. Staff said the budget includes a conservative revenue estimate (55% of costs covered by revenue in earlier projections) and that winter months tend to be busier for EMS calls.

Other operational notes: staff said switching fleet financing vendors aims to improve delivery times and financing terms; the board authorized the solicitor and manager to execute related documents. The board also approved several routine bills and interim payments as presented.

What this means for residents: the example given in the presentation showed a home assessed at $400,000 would see about a $50 increase in taxes for the year based on the new millage rate. Assistant Manager Katie Kennedy and commissioners emphasized that township taxes make up less than 10% of total local taxes (the bulk goes to school districts and county government).

The board voted on all fiscal items by voice and recorded each as carrying with six votes in favor and none opposed.