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Borough weighs adding EMS millage to fund ambulance services; officials pledge transparency
Summary
Council discussed a proposed EMS millage of about 0.45 mills expected to raise roughly $350,000 annually; staff said the increase would add about $13 to the typical tax bill and that proceeds must be used for ambulance, rescue and EMS services per PA borough code; council directed further review at a work session.
Council members spent a portion of the meeting discussing whether the borough should add a dedicated EMS millage to fund ambulance and emergency medical services.
Barb presented the requested calculation, saying a 0.45-mill increase would translate to roughly a 0.87% tax increase for an average assessed property. She said the EMS portion of the typical bill would be about $81.97 and that the taxpayer’s total bill would rise by about $13 annually under the proposed change. Barb emphasized that Pennsylvania borough code allows levying up to one-half mill for ambulance and rescue services but, as a home-rule borough, the council could exceed that limit if it chose; she also stressed that the levy is intended specifically for ambulance, rescue and EMS operations and not for police or fire services.
A public commenter, Ian, asked whether the EMS revenue would be held in a separate, dedicated fund and requested full transparency showing how much of the general fund previously supported EMS so residents could see the net fiscal effect. The chair and staff said tax-bill labeling and budget presentations are intended to provide that transparency and that staff (Sean) will present details in follow-up budget materials.
Council members said they were generally supportive of the presentation but noted there was not yet full consensus to enact a separate EMS tax and directed the matter to the work session for further discussion and analysis.
Ending: The council did not enact the millage at the meeting and agreed to continue consideration at a forthcoming work session; staff will prepare additional financial detail and transparency materials for review.
