Upper Gwynedd Raising Taxes For First Time in 23 Years

The streak is over in Upper Gwynedd Township.
After 23 years, Upper Gwynedd Commissioners voted to increase the real estate tax rate by 1 mill to 1.874 mills.
This means an extra $142 annually for taxpayers, according to a township news release.
The township is also increasing sewer rates by 15 percent. This means residents will pay an extra $48.50 per year.
After an increase to 0.874 mills in 1991, there was a 0.491 mill real estate tax reduction for general purposes. 
According to the township, the real estate tax in Upper Gwynedd represented 3.8 percent of the annual tax bill. North Penn taxes represent 84.5 percent and Montgomery County taxes account for 11.7 percent of the bill.
Upper Gwynedd continues to offer a $30,000 Homestead Exemption, which reduces the assessed value of residential properties.
Upper Gwynedd Commissioners listed a multitude of reasons for the tax increase:

• Reduced real estate transfer tax receipts.
• Public safety costs
• Obamacare
• Unfunded federal and state mandates, specifically the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Environmental Protection MS-4 storm water management requirements.
•  Low-interest yields on township reserve funds
•  Operating cost increases
•  Maintenance of fund balances to preserve an AA+ bond rating