Hatfield Township Municipal Building. Photo by James Short.
Millage has not increased in the township general fund since 2014
Hatfield Township Commissioners voted Wednesday night to adopt the township’s 2026 budget, approving a spending plan that holds the line on overall tax increases while continuing to invest heavily in public safety, employee compensation, and long-term infrastructure.
Under the adopted ordinance, the township’s 2026 property tax rate totals 5.222 mills, broken down into 3.688 mills for general purposes, 0.694 mills for debt service, 0.62 mills for fire apparatus, and 0.22 mills for parks and recreation, according to the budget documents
That equates to $52.22 per $1,000 of assessed property value, with township officials noting the general fund millage has not increased for the twelfth consecutive year.
The general fund budget projects approximately $14.49 million in revenue for 2026, a year-over-year increase driven primarily by earned income taxes, real estate transfer taxes, and modest growth in assessed valuation tied to new construction.
Total expenditures are projected at $14.67 million, resulting in a modest planned operating deficit of about $180,000, a shift from prior years when the township posted operating surpluses
Public safety continues to account for the largest share of township spending. Police department expenses are budgeted at roughly $5.67 million, including an increase in police salaries from about $4.29 million in 2025 to $4.69 million in 2026, reflecting contractual wage growth and staffing costs.
Fire and emergency medical services funding includes $149,000 in state fire relief funds, a $100,000 contribution to volunteer ambulance services, and additional incentives aimed at retaining volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel.
Employee benefit costs also rise in the 2026 plan. Pension contributions increase by roughly $11,000, remaining elevated compared to pre-2022 levels due to market losses, while health insurance costs climb about 7 percent, or $101,000, township officials reported.
The budget also includes a $340,000 transfer to the capital fund, supporting police station construction, vehicle replacements, body-camera upgrades, and road and stormwater projects.
The 2026 budget takes effect Jan. 1, 2026, with township officials emphasizing continued fiscal stability while balancing rising labor, benefit, and public safety costs against the goal of avoiding broad tax increases for residents.
