Banks Township residents will have their first property tax increase in a quarter century if a tentative budget is made final next month.

The township supervisors approved a $357,373 spending plan Monday night that calls for an increase in property tax millage from 1.1 mills to 1.9 mills.

“We haven’t raised taxes in 25 years,” said Supervisor Chairman William Nice Jr. “But the cost of everything is going through the roof. Based on $50,000 of assessed valuation, it will be about $40 more.”

Supervisor Charles Schalles said, “Everything is going up. The light bill, everything.”

The township will begin the year with a fund balance of $85,000, and expected income of $272,373. Schalles said the proposed budget is a balanced budget.

New meeting rules

For the first time, the supervisors followed new rules for those who want to speak at meetings.

Early in the session, the board approved a resolution drafted by John Solt, the township solicitor, that outlined the new format.

Each speaker has to sign up before the meeting, and then has three minutes. If they have questions, they ask all their questions within the three-minute period and then the supervisors answer them.

Anyone who gets out of order will be asked to leave. If they refuse, the supervisors will adjourn the meeting.