On the brink of its first tax increase in over a decade, Franklin Township supervisors reversed course Tuesday night amid impassioned pleas from residents who implored them to not raise taxes.

Supervisors unanimously agreed to adopt the 2023 budget with no tax increase, much to the delight of the roughly 20 residents who packed the cramped meeting room inside the township municipal building.

At a budget workshop last month, supervisors tentatively adopted next year’s spending plan with a 1.5-mill increase, which if approved, would have raised the millage rate from 7.64 to 9.14 mills.

Supervisors at that time cited inflation (fuel costs doubled, health care premiums), and the eventual hiring of a part-time code enforcement officer among the reasons.

The last time residents had a tax increase was 2010, when taxes were raised by 1.5 mills.

Residents speak out

Several residents urged the board to reconsider its stance from last month.

Dave Bradley was the first to address the board, and questioned a line item in the budget that called for another code enforcement officer, as well as an $80,374 line item in the building fund.

Ty Poole said the proposed 1.5-mill increase is what brought so many taxpayers out to the meeting.

Tim Wagner asked the board how it came up with the proposed 1.5-mill increase, especially since it’s working with a surplus.

“Why are we raising taxes? I don’t see the reason,” Wagner said.

Pat Beltz asked the board what happens now that they’ve heard from the citizens.

Board Chairman Fred Kemmerer assured her the board takes comments from the public very seriously.

“We take all that into regard,” Kemmerer said. “I’ve been on that side (in the public) many times; I 100% appreciate the fact that you guys are here.”

Several other residents said they’ve lived in the township for a long time, and that a tax increase would make things more difficult to afford.

Another resident asked the board what the public could do to stop taxes from going up.

Matt Dorward told the board what he’d like to see them focus on looking ahead.

“I’d like you guys to reconsider maybe putting more thought into the police force, rather than (a code enforcement officer),” Dorward said. “I’d like you to reconsider that, maybe go a different route.”

A good portion of the crowd outwardly said they liked that idea.

Kemmerer reiterated his gratitude toward the community members who took the time to attend the meeting and speak up.

“We do appreciate that everybody showed up; this is where we need to be (as a township),” he said. “I want to do whatever I can on my behalf.”

Afterward, supervisor Robin Cressley asked whether the board could table the $37,000 line item for the code enforcement officer position that was in the budget.

The board agreed to strike that line item from the budget.

Supervisor Jason Frey then shared his thoughts on the $80,374 line item in the building fund.

“I think at some point, it needs to end,” Frey said. “I would like to see us strike that half-mill ($80,374) from the building fund.”

Cressley agreed, and added, “I would like to put an end date on that.”

Bradley told the board it could be the only township in the state to lower taxes and in the process, make history.

The board then on a 2-1 vote, with Frey opposed, agreed to adopt the 2023 budget as is.

Frey said he voted in opposition because he believes the building fund should be gone. It was noted the building fund was started 30 years ago and the township has yet to build a new building with the funds.

Immediately afterward, the board unanimously agreed to set the tax rate for next year with no tax increase, which will leave the millage rate at 7.64 mills.

That decision was met with an ovation from the crowd.

Garbage rate increase

While taxes will not go up, the board on Tuesday did approve a resolution to increase next year’s garbage collection rates.

The garbage collection fee will be raised by $20, from $235 to $255 for regular customers.

The senior rate will not increase and remains at $170.

However, they will no longer offer a seasonal (part-time, six months of the year) customers rate.

Supervisors said the garbage increase is because of rising fuel costs, and noted that the transfer station on Timberline Road in Danielsville closed earlier this year.

As a result, the township now has to travel to Pen Argyl to empty its garbage trucks.