Mount Joy Twp. supervisors won't raise taxes in 2025; plan increased security at township building
When: Mount Joy Township budget workshop meeting, Nov. 12.
What happened: Supervisors authorized advertising the 2025 township budget, which does not increase real estate taxes. Total expenditures are $5.81 million, an 8.74% increase over this year's $5.35 million budget.
Millage rate: If approved, the rate would remain at the 2024 level of 3.24 mills, which has two components: 2.34 mills for the general fund and 0.90 for fire protection. A 3.24 millage rate yields $3.24 per $1,000 of taxable property value, or $648 in annual municipal real estate tax for a property assessed at $200,000.
Fire tax: The fire tax, expected to yield $818,017 in 2025, is divided among four fire companies that serve the township: Elizabethtown's Friendship, Rheems, Mount Joy and Mastersonville.
Budget details: Of the $5.81 million budget, $710,000 will be transferred into three capital reserve funds, leaving $5.1 million in general operating fund expenses compared to $4.78 million in 2024. The 2025 capital fund transfers are $300,000 to the municipal building fund, $110,000 to the road machinery fund and $300,000 to the road projects fund. In 2024, $575,000 was transferred into those capital funds. Also, all township employees will receive 3% wage increases, with Township Manager Kim Kaufman receiving a 4.5% increase, treasurer Tracey Weaver said. To balance the budget, $461,924 will come from the general fund balance, or surplus.
Deficit: The budget deficit is due to the capital fund transfers and a drop in tipping fee revenue from the Milton Grove landfill, which is winding down operations. Next year's landfill revenue is projected to be $150,000, compared to $180,000 this year and $300,000 in 2023.
Police costs: Northwest Regional Police Department provides police coverage to Mount Joy and West Donegal townships. For 2025, Mount Joy Township will fund 56.7% of the cost and West Donegal will cover 43.3%. Mount Joy Township's share amounts to $2.4 million, a $127,765 increase over this year. West Donegal's share is $1.86 million.
Libraries, GEARS: The Elizabethtown Public Library and Milanof-Schock Library, Mount Joy, will receive more funding in 2025, totaling $85,098. This year's combined contribution was $74,297. The $68,198 for Elizabethtown includes a "celebratory" $9,900 in honor of its 99-year anniversary. Milanof-Schock will receive $16,900, a $900 increase. The township's 2025 contribution to the Greater Elizabethtown Area Recreation Services will be $102,385 for operations and $19,823 for its maintenance budget, both increases.
What's next: The proposed budget is available for inspection at the township office in the Fairview Municipal Complex, 8853 Elizabethtown Road, Elizabethtown, and on its website, mtjoytwp.org . The supervisors will vote Monday, Dec. 16, on the final budget.
Building security: Supervisors discussed enhancing security at the Fairview Municipal Complex following a recent fatal shooting there involving a police officer. The Northwest Regional Police Department is housed at the complex. At Kaufman's suggestion, the township is consulting with an architectural firm on security measures, including a bullet-proof greeting window in the township reception area and fencing around the police parking lot. Supervisors are expected to decide on proposed security upgrades at a future meeting.
