Dingman: No-increase budget is 'clone' of last year's

By Anya Tikka
DINGMAN TOWNSHIP — There are no tax increases and no new taxes in Dingman Township’s 2015 budget, Vice-Chair Dennis Brink reported at the recent supervisors meeting.

“The budget is very similar to last year’s budget," said Brink with a smile. "There are no increases as far as funding — and taxing."

He said it's "pretty much a clone" of last year’s budget,” apart from some tweaking of costs as they changed columns from projected to actual costs.

Supervisors Chair Thomas Mincer was absent due to a previous engagement.

The board voted to advertise the budget as written. (See sidebar for important numbers.)

How it works
The Dingman Township website dingmantownship.org/taxes.html explains how the taxing works in the township. Pike County residents pay three taxing entities: the county, the Delaware Valley School District, and Dingman Township, each of which creates its own budget and determines how much revenue it needs. All taxes are collected by Dingman's tax collector, who then distributes the money.

In 2014, the school district taxed Dingman property at a rate of 103.19 mils, according to the website. Pike County set a 18.54 mil rate, while Dingman Township set their taxes at 6 mils. There is also a 1.25 mil fire tax to help support the two fire departments that serve the Township. Based on these rates, a property worth $100,000 would be expected to pay the following:

Delaware Valley School District — 103.19 mils or $ 2579.75

Pike County — 18.54 mils or $463.50

Dingman Township — 6 mils or $150

Fire Tax — 1.25 mils or $31.25
The website also explains Dingman Township has one of the lowest tax rates (6 mils) in Pike County, but also lower than the other area townships: Milford Borough 46.10mils; Matamoras Borough 48.7 mils; Westfall Township 31.20 mils; Milford Township 10 mils; and Delaware Township 12.93 mils.