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In the May 17 Primary Election, Whitpain residents will have an opportunity to vote Yes on a Ballot Question on increasing the Earned Income Tax (EIT) by 0.06% with the revenue being used to preserve and maintain open space.
The Board of Supervisors asks that you vote Yes so that the Township can continue to invest in open space which is essential to the quality of life in Whitpain.
The Township has a long history of purchasing and improving open space ranging from the purchase of the Cook Farm Tract back in 1966 to the recent acquisition of Mermaid Lake.
A Yes vote would provide an additional dedicated stream of revenue for open space acquisition, open space debt repayment, and open space improvements. The change would not go into effect until 2023.
The additional revenue would add approximately $40 to the typical person’s annual EIT payment and would not change real estate taxes. The Township believes this would strike an ideal balance between allowing for future land acquisition and maintenance while minimizing any potential financial burden on residents.
"We’ve done a great job creating trails and building fields for our youth to play. We need to continue to invest in those trails and fields," said Supervisor Vice Chair Michele Minnnick "A yes vote supports the most efficient way to invest in open space and does not impact our residents on fixed incomes."
The Township has held the line on taxes since 2010. In the 12 years since, the Township has made a number of open space acquisitions and improvements, including purchasing Mermaid Park, partnering with the county and Wissahickon Trails to preserve the Cheston property, investing in planned improvements at Wissahickon Park, and upgrading Erbs Mill Park, while also partnering with our youth sports organizations to build restroom facilities at Centre Square Park and Stony Creek Sports Park.
Click here to learn more about the Ballot Question
Watch Board of Supervisors Chair Kimberly Koch (below) talk about the importance of open space.
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