Angela Goodwin of the Joint Recreation Authority also informed the board that the JRA purchased a new slide for the Holiday House pool
The West Rockhill Board of Supervisors Wednesday, December 17 approved the township’s 2026 budget with a 34% tax increase.
The budget raises the township’s millage rate from 7.25 mills to 9.75 mills, amounting to an extra $70 per year for the average property owner.
The move marks the township’s first tax increase in 15 years. Board members have said that the tax hike is needed to cover a 17% increase in the Pennridge Regional Police Department (PRPD) budget, which Chief Paul Dickinson has attributed to rising health insurance costs, raises, the hiring of a new full-time officer and the purchasing of a new vehicle.
The budget also includes the standard $13,000 appropriation for the Holiday House pool and $2,500 appropriation for the Pennridge Senior Center as well as funding for road repairs. In addition, the West Rockhill Historical Society is included as a budget line item in homage to the Society’s rehabilitation of the Heritage House at James Memorial Park.
Holiday House Pool slide
Angela Goodwin of the Joint Recreation Authority informed the board that the JRA purchased a new slide for the Holiday House pool. Despite planning to fundraise for the purchase, the JRA tapped into its newly-received $290,000 in conservation easement funds to take advantage of a limited time discounted rate, said Goodwin. She added that the JRA is aiming to replenish the funds through additional fundraising efforts.
Supervisor Jay Keyser criticized the purchase as fiscally irresponsible, arguing that excessive amounts of taxpayer funding are propping up an underutilized pool. He noted that just 63 West Rockhill season tickets were sold during the previous pool season.
“You need to get more users,” said Keyser. “63 season tickets is not enough for taxpayers to be giving uncontrolled amounts of money.”
In response, Goodwin described the new slide as an investment that will help attract new members. She added that the pool draws members from across the region and is a critical resource for children.
“With any business, you have to spend money to make money, so we’re putting in a slide hoping to bring in more business,” said Goodwin. “A lot of people are very happy that we purchased the slide, so were hoping it brings in more money. That’s all we can do.”
Camp Rockhill Road development
The board granted approval to a new six-lot single-family home development at 204 Camp Rockhill Road, conditioned upon the inclusion of separate driveways. The move follows a months-long dispute between the board and developer Tim Snyder over the project’s inclusion of shared driveways, with the board demanding separate driveways to prevent neighbor disputes.
Snyder, who was not in attendance at Wednesday’s meeting, must accept the conditions of approval within five days for the project to proceed.
Historical sketches
Fred Diseroad pitched a plan to create sketches of local historical properties to generate revenue and decorate the township municipal building. He noted that a similar endeavor by the West Rockhill Historical Society was “very prosperous.” The board promised to revisit the plan at its next meeting.
The board also recognized Tony Bogner for his “long and active volunteer service” to the township, including at community events, the Holiday House pool, James Memorial Park and as an alternate member of the Planning Commission.
The next West Rockhill Board of Supervisors meeting is on January 21 at 7 p.m. For more information, visit westrockhilltownship.org
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