Increase needed to fund capital improvements, officials said
By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times
Kennett Square’s Borough Council adopted its 2013 budget Monday night, a $14.5 million spending plan that includes a ½-mill tax increase, and hikes of three and five percent for utilities and solid waste respectively.
Borough Manager Brant Kucera said the council voted unanimously to approve the budget, which contained a 10 percent millage increase. He said residents seemed to understand that the hike was needed.
One-quarter of the increase will be dedicated to capital improvements, such as streetscape projects on South Walnut Street and West Cypress Street, Kucera said. The bulk of those two initiatives are covered by grants, but the borough has to fund 25 percent, he said. “Residents know that they’ll be able to see concrete examples of where the money is spent,” he said.
The tax increase will cost the median taxpayer $65 a year, based on a home value of $125,000, Kucera said.
“I think it’s a responsible budget,” said Borough Council Vice President Danilo Maffei. “We’re investing in the town and its personnel, setting ourselves up for future success.”
