Politics & Government

No Income Tax Hike in West Chester

The West Chester Borough Council voted against a 25 percent income tax bump to fund its pensions.

After nearly an hour and a half of debate, and in front of a crowd over 50 borough residents, the West Chester Borough Council voted against an income tax increase of 25 percent at its Wednesday night meeting.

The motion to deny the increase, which was made by council member Jordan Norly, passed in a 4-3 vote after council members heard over a dozen residents testify, both against and in favor of the increase.

The tax, which was initially proposed by council member John Manion at the council’s October meeting, was suggested as a means to fund the borough pension fund, which the borough currently owes over $600,000 in back pay on.  Norly argued that, because the borough could continue to pay 75 percent of its required pension through 2015 as it has done for the past several years.

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“I agree that this is something we don’t have any control over come 2015, but at 2014 we are not required to fund the pensions at 100 percent,” he said.

He said he favored finding additional revenues for the borough, in the shape of sales or increased parking funds, in the future than levying a tax now.

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Council member Thomas Paxon, who supported denying the increase, said that he preferred to wait for an increased tax base from the borough’s developing apartment complexes in favor of the tax increase.

“We don’t know what’s going to happen, but we know there are developments coming this way,” he said.

Incoming council member Ellen Koopman spoke during public participation, speaking in favor of the council “to plan with what they know.”

“I don’t know that I’m getting a raise next year, just as we don’t know what our winfalls are going to be. [Money] is fluid.”

Incoming council member Brian Abbott also spoke, asking the council to hold on the issue before the new council was installed.

“Don’t vote at all, lest us deal with it next year,” he said.


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