Upper Darby’s proposed 2027 budget raises trash fees $100 and sewer fees $20, but property tax rates are left unchanged.
Mayor Ed Brown was not at the recent council meeting, but he outlined the budget on the township website.
Brown said the increase in the trash fee from $325 to $425 is part of moving sanitation toward a self-supporting operation funded by fees rather than relying on revenues intended to support broader township operations.
The administration is proposing a sanitation fund to help the public see more clearly the revenues generated by sanitation and the cost of providing the service, the mayor said.
Brown said the township’s earned income tax is performing as anticipated.
As of Sept. 21, the township had received about $9.2 million in EIT revenue. Officials anticipate meeting and potentially slightly exceeding the $17.8 million anticipated in this year’s budget.
In 2025 the township spent about $8.7 million of fund balance to support operations. This year, leaders expect to reverse that trend and adding approximately $4.2 million to the municipality’s reserve fund.
Brown said a long-term challenge is the erosion of the township’s taxable real estate base.
Since 2024, Upper Darby’s taxable assessed value has declined by about $209 million.
At the current 14.02-mill tax rate, that represents about $2.9 million in annual real estate tax capacity. For every $100 million reduction in taxable assessment, the township loses about $1.4 million in potential tax revenue.
The number of tax-exempt properties in the township has increased, and assessment appeals have further reduced taxable value.
Council President Michelle Billups announced that council met in private to discuss a potential property acquisition.
During public comment, a resident asked about the progress on conserving the 15-acre Mozino Tract.
“It’s still under advisement. We are still looking at options,” Billups said, adding that conservation is still on the table.
“You will hear if a decision has been made,” she said.
Solicitor Michael Clarke said the issue could wind up in litigation and that he recommended council members not talk about what is going on until they have a clear direction from the property owner on his plans.
A group is trying to raise money to purchase the property in hopes the township retains the title.
Council member Myron McNeely asked about the status of the EMS station in the eastern portion of the township, offering his finished basement for crews to use to get units in that part of town.
“It’s a serious issue,” McNeely said.
Township Chief Administrative Officer Crandell Jones said officials are working to get it located at a fire station and are waiting on a reply from the fire company.
On a lighter note, council member Kyle McIntyre asked colleagues to consider dressing in costume for the Oct. 21 meeting, which brought a mixed reaction.