If the 2026 budget is adopted as introduced, Falls Township’s Parks and Recreation Department would receive additional funding in 2026.
During Monday’s meeting, the Falls Supervisors introduced a preliminary 2026 budget, that, as proposed, would increase the current 8.97 millage rate by an additional 1 mill to 9.97 mills total. If the budget is adopted as introduced, the tax increase would cost the owner of an average assessed property of $30,000 an extra $2.50 per month or $30 total per year.
Property owners currently pay $269.10 for an average assessment of $30,000. The owner of a similarly assessed Bristol Township property, by comparison, paid $1,099.40 in local taxes for 2025, while the owner of a similarly assessed Northampton Township home paid $1,550 in municipal taxes.
Unlike neighboring communities, Falls residents are not assessed for trash and leaf pickup.
The proposed tax increase would cover the rising operating costs for the parks and recreation department, according to Finance Director Betsy Reukauf. The department oversees 408 acres at 18 parks, facilities and open space. Funds would continue to support various parks and recreation programs, including the annual National Night Out, Food Truck Festival, Community Yard Sale, Touch a Truck and Summer Concert Series, she said.
In addition, several projects are planned for township parks in the coming year, including renovations at Penns Grant Park which would feature the addition of a Safety Town, upgrades to the playground and resurfacing of the tennis courts; upgrades to the hockey rink at Falls Township Community Park to address drainage issues, continuation of the soccer field maintenance program, baseball field repairs; repair of the docks at the Quaker Penn Park boat launch; and improvements at Kirby Park. In all, $570,052 is earmarked for parks improvements in 2026.
During one of the budget sessions, Supervisors Vice Chairperson Erin Mullen said she “strongly supported” the planned renovations at Penns Grant Park, including the addition of Safety Town.
“Safety Town is the little town that is a replica created in a space that has crosswalks, bus stops, etc.,” Mullen said. “It’s sort of a destination for field trips where kids learn safety without being in the risk of an actual street … I would love to have this here and available to our schools and daycares.”
At Pinewood Pool, plans call for a new vacuum, chairs and security cameras to help prevent thefts from vehicles.
Reukauf told the board during the last of three budget meetings held earlier this month that overall revenues for 2025 “far exceeded” what was allocated in this year’s spending plan. In particular, Reukauf said that various construction projects throughout Falls, most notably NorthPoint Development’s redevelopment of the former U.S. Steel site, have resulted in a $5.4 million surplus in anticipated revenues from building, electrical and HVAC permits.
Excess revenues mean that Falls can add $2 million back to its long-term savings and transfer just $5 million from host community fees to the general fund – as compared to the high of nearly $16.8 million in 2019.
Of the taxes collected locally, Pennsbury School District receives 85 percent, Bucks County receives 11 percent and Falls gets the remaining 4 percent – or 4 cents on every dollar collected.
Reukauf said $12 million is estimated to be collected in 2026 from the Earned Income Tax, which was enacted in 2023.
For decades, Falls officials have worked hard to do more with less. For every $1 paid in taxes, Falls Township receives just 4 cents. Yet, year after year the township sees spiraling pension contribution increases. Over the last decade, the township has seen its pension obligation nearly triple. Pension contributions surged from $1.3 million in 2012 to $2.6 million in 2017, with nearly $2.6 million projected for next year, while the state contributions have remained relatively flat.
Still, Falls plans a number of capital projects next year, including the full-depth reconstruction of Willow Drive, as well as mill and overlay repairs, upgrades to the South Olds Boulevard culvert and repairs at Martins Creek.
In all, $45,005,940 is projected to be spent in 2026.
The community can review the budget through Dec. 22 at the township’s temporary municipal building, which is located at 450 Lincoln Highway, Fairless Hills; at Fallsington Library, the Bucks County Free Library, as well as on the township website at www.fallstwp.com (under the finance department section of the site). The 2026 budget will be considered for adoption during the Supervisors’ Dec. 22 meeting.
