Lower Salford board authorizes advertisement of 0.25% earned-income-tax increase to fund open space

The Lower Salford Board of Supervisors on June 3 authorized the advertisement of Ordinance 2026-05, a proposed 0.25 percentage-point increase in the earned income tax intended to fund open-space acquisition.

The chair said the proposed ordinance follows a referendum the board described as passed by the community and framed the action as the first step in implementing the ballot measure. The motion to advertise the ordinance was seconded and the board voted in favor. The authorization to advertise does not enact the tax; it starts the public-notice and ordinance-adoption process.

Board members discussed the purpose of the increase as dedicated to purchasing open space and improving land conservation options. No amendments to the ordinance were introduced at the meeting; the board will accept public comment and proceed with the public-notice period required for ordinance adoption.

Next steps noted by the board include publication of the proposed ordinance for public review and scheduling subsequent readings as required by township procedure.