Middletown supervisors unveil 2024 budget, propose 1.455‑mill fire protection increase

Township finance staff presented the proposed 2024 budget to the Middletown Township Board of Supervisors on Nov. 13, outlining an operating budget of $41,900,000 and a capital plan of $6,900,000 and saying the plan will allow the township to "maintain the level of service that our residents and businesses have come to expect." The presentation emphasized rising costs for fire protection and personnel as key drivers of increased spending.

The presenter said the township is proposing "a 1.455 mil increase in the real estate tax dedicated to fire protection," a change the presentation tied to support for volunteer fire companies, a newly created fire apparatus fund and expanded daytime paid firefighting coverage. The draft budget also includes the use of $1,900,000 in fund balance to balance the general fund for 2024.

Why it matters: officials said the township faces long‑term pressures from pension, insurance and personnel costs. The police pension minimum municipal obligation was noted at about $3,100,000 for the year, and staff described salaries, insurance and benefits as driving roughly 88% of general‑fund personnel costs. The presenter said general‑fund expenditures have been outpacing revenues, and the township relies on a long‑standing $40,000,000 principal that by ordinance only allows spending of earned interest from the sale of former water and sewer assets.

Key figures and priorities from the presentation included a proposed millage of 19.025, use of fund balance where necessary to balance the budget, a planned $900,000 Highway Aid allocation for paving, and $6.9 million prioritized capital projects (priority 1) pending further authorization as projects come back to the board. The presenter indicated that the township was budgeting conservatively and anticipated continued use of grant revenue where available.

Board action and next steps: a supervisor moved to advertise the proposed budget for public review, with the board scheduled to consider final adoption on Dec. 11, 2023. The township encouraged residents to review the budget document posted on the township website and submit comments to staff or elected officials.

The presentation closed with staff thanking the finance and departmental teams for work on the document and with supervisors offering procedural comments and Thanksgiving remarks before adjourning.