There will be no Board of Supervisors meeting on April 23, 2024, due to the Primary Election.
Archive for the ‘Important Notices’ Category
Warrington Environmental Advisory Council Day of Community Service – MAY 11, 2024
The Warrington Township Environmental Advisory Council (WEAC) would like to invite you to participate in our Day of Community Service. This is the WEAC’s 24th annual event. The Day of Community Service will begin with sign-in’s at the Lindy Community Room, at Lions Pride Park on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 8:45 AM and will end at 12:30 PM. Activities will include flower planting, maintenance at the Weisel and Mill Creek Preserves, naturalized detention basin maintenance, upkeep of the existing Rain Garden and Butterfly Garden, and Edible Forest planting, Planting and cleanup at the Mary Barness Community Pool, Adopt-A-Road and trails cleanups, and a cleanup of Lions Pride Park and the Igoe Porter Wellings (IPW) Park. We would like to invite local businesses, community groups, Girl Scout, Brownie, Daisy and Boy Scout troops and Cub Scout dens, members of elementary, secondary, and high school students to participate. All those who would like to participate are welcome. The rain date will be Saturday, May 18, 2024.
Please use the following link to sign up for our event: Warrington EAC: Volunteers Needed: Warrington Day of Community Service (signupgenius.com)
Other activities sponsored by the Warrington Township Environmental Advisory Council for 2024 include the Adopt-a-Road program; the Healthy Yards program that encourages homeowners to plant native trees, shrubs, and pollinator plants, working with local businesses and Homeowner Associations to plant rain gardens and naturalize detention basins; and working with community organizations (e.g., the School District) with their environmental education programs. If you are committed to helping the environment and want to learn more, email us at [email protected] or come to a Council meeting at the Township Building or via zoom, the first Wednesday of each month at 7:30 pm. You may also contact Ms. Ivy Ross at via e-mail at [email protected].
Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to your participation in our annual Day of Community Service.
WARRINGTON TOWNSHIP ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
PECO Arbor Day Tree Giveaway – April 26, 2024
PECO is once again sponsoring a tree giveaway. Residents can use the web link to register to receive a tree. Residents will have the option to have a tree mailed to them or it can be picked up at the Warminster Community Park, 1100 Veterans Way, Warminster PA 18974 on Friday, April 26 from, 1 PM – 3 PM.
Trees are available for reservation on a first-come basis while supplies last.
Register to receive a tree: www.arborday.org/peco
(SALDO) Subdivision and Land Development April Meetings Cancelled
The regularly scheduled AD/HOC SALDO (Subdivision and Land Development) meetings for April 1, 2024 and April 15, 2024 have been cancelled due to a lack of business.
2023 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
From: North Wales Water and Sewer Authority
This report includes information about where your Water comes from, what it contains and how it compares with the standards set by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). You are being provided a copy of this report in compliance with the Safe
Drinking Water Act.
Township Addresses Structural Deficit – Addressing Budget Tax Increase for 2024
Warrington Township Board of Supervisors worked together collectively to address a five-year structural deficit requiring an increase of 8.17 real estate millage for 2024, and the need for a responsible fiscal strategy to sustain vital services for the community. There was much discussion and debate starting in September 2023 regarding the 2024 Budget that needed to be adopted by February 15th, 2024, to be compliant with Second Class Township code.
Considering the evolving economic conditions that have rapidly deteriorated over the past few years and the township’s commitment to maintaining essential services, the Board of Supervisors determined that a comprehensive review of the budget was necessary to ensure the long-term financial health of Warrington Township. After a systematic analysis of the township’s fiscal position and a recognition of the challenges posed by the structural deficit that had grown to over $3 million dollars in the General Fund, it was determined that a tax increase could not be avoided.
A structural deficit means that the General Fund, or operating account that funds essential township services, has expenses consistently exceeding revenues over an extended period. Essential township services to include our police, fire, and public works (infrastructure). Resolution to restore a balanced budget will require a multi-year solution to repair the structural deficit to ensure long-term sustainability of Warrington Township.
During the 2021 Budget discussions, the General Fund had a 1.5 millage deficit that had grown to a 6 millage or a $1.3 million budget deficit during the 2022 budget review. Due to the compounding effect driven by economic conditions, the deficit was $1.7 million at the end of 2023. Beginning in the fall of 2023 during Board of Supervisors budget discussions it was discovered that the budget compounded to a level requiring a 10 millage increase or $3 million to balance the budget for 2024 which is required by Second Class Township Code. Demonstrated as follows:
- Year 2021 Deficit = $600,000
- Year 2022 Deficit = $1,300,000
- Year 2023 Deficit = $1,700,000
- Year 2024 Deficit = $3,000,000+
Economic conditions driving this increase include the following:
- Market conditions – inflationary economic conditions.
- Lack of skilled labor increases wages and employee benefits universally.
- Warrington Township’s stage of development, including the 611 corridors, has led to the inclusion of big-box retailers that add to increased traffic, crime, and infrastructure needs.
- Five (5) Financial Directors in six (6) years contributed to the absence of effective project management and inconsistency in financial direction.
- Overruns on all capital projects and lack of long-term planning to incorporate new inventory and the maintenance associated with new acquisitions into the General Fund budget.
The Tax Stabilization Fund (TSF) was created in 2019 from the sale of water and sewer provided a one-time non-reoccurring revenue source. Use of this short-term solution to a long-term problem of balancing the budget in prior years. Unfortunately, this approach only postponed the need to address the ever-growing General Fund Deficit that ballooned to over $3 million dollars in 2023, the equivalent to 10 mills. Despite best efforts to cut the budget, an increase of 8.17 mills was required to balance the budget, and it should be noted that an additional $700,000 from the TSF was utilized in 2024 that will need to be addressed in 2025.
The 5- year structural deficit that became evident in recent assessments required initiative-taking measures to safeguard the long-term sustainability needed and maintain the quality of life for Warrington residents, especially amid increasing crime coupled with maintenance of existing infrastructure. To address this, the Warrington Board of Supervisors proposed a responsible adjustment to tax rates that will have the least amount of impact on the township residents in the long term. The board adopted the goal of fiscal responsibility, long term sustainability and accountability. Protection of the residents’ interests must always come first. This was addressed at the Board of Supervisors meetings scheduled for January 2024, and adopted collectively on February 9, 2024.
The Board acknowledges that any decision to raise taxes is a significant one that was not taken lightly and assures the community that the funds generated will be allocated judiciously to ensure the continued delivery of high-quality services. The additional revenue needed to balance the budget will be invested in critical areas, including public safety improvements, road maintenance, and community development projects that contribute to the well-being of all residents.
The Warrington Township Board of Supervisors recognizes the importance of transparency and community engagement in the budgetary process. The Board of Supervisors has been committed to an open dialogue with the community throughout this process and listened to the needs of the township departments and residents. All feedback has been taken into consideration in the final decision-making.
Township Addresses Structural Deficit - Addressing Budget Tax Increase for 2024Planning Commission Meeting Cancelled 3/7/24
The Planning Commission meeting scheduled for Thursday, March 7, 2024, has been cancelled due to lack of business.
Warrington Township Zoning/SALDO Ad Hoc Committee Meetings
Warrington Township holds public Zoning/SALDO Ad Hoc Committee meetings on the first and third Monday of each month (Holidays and unforeseen circumstances may alter the schedule) at 3:00 PM in the Shirley Yannich Public Meeting Room at the Warrington Township Administration Building.
The Committee is composed of a member of the Board of Supervisors, 2 representatives from the Planning Commission, 2 representatives from the Zoning Hearing Board, the Township Solicitor, the Township Engineer, the Assistant Township Manager, and the Zoning Officer.
The Township has partnered with the Bucks County Planning Commission to work with the Committee to review and update the Zoning and Subdivision and Land Development (SALDO) ordinances. A complete rewrite of both ordinances was completed in 2021 and 2022, but amendments are needed on a regular basis to ensure the Township is managing land development and use in a legal and responsible manner.
The public is welcome to attend these meetings to provide their input or to learn about land development and zoning.
Board of Supervisors Special Meeting February 6, 2024
The proposed amended 2024 Warrington Township Budget is available for public review on the Township website and in person at the Township Building, 852 Easton Rd, Warrington, PA 18976 during business hours. The Board of Supervisors will consider the adoption of the Budget at a special meeting to be held on February 6, 2024, at the Township Building.