Tax increase in Bucks is unlikely

BUCKS COUNTY

Tax increase unlikely

under proposed county budget

DOYLESTOWN Taxpayers likely will see no increase in their county taxes next year, according to Bucks County's proposed budget for 2015.

The preliminary spending plan of about $393 million is $5.5 million smaller than it was last year and keeps nearly $50 million in its savings account. Officials attribute the county's fiscal health to efforts to contain costs that include a hiring freeze of nonessential workers and reduction in the county's workforce through attrition.

A large chunk of the budget is composed of funding for social services, which include programs for youth and people with mental health and developmental disabilities. But the budget also supports emergency services and departments of corrections and parks.

The county still must work out final details regarding unresolved union contracts for some county workers, health-care costs, and employer pension contributions.

A public budget meeting will be held Tuesday, and the spending plan is slated for adoption Dec. 17. For more information and to view the preliminary budget, visit www.BucksCounty.org and click on the budget link on the home page. - Ben Finley