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America First Policy Institute
Local Policy Brief
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| 📅 Thursday, October 8, 2026 to Calendar |
| 📄 View Official Agenda |
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We reviewed the upcoming agenda for Quakertown Community SD and found 3 items with policy significance ahead of the vote.
| PRIORITY (LEVEL 7) |
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District Accelerates Budget Timeline for Potential Tax Hike
The district has adopted an accelerated budget calendar for 2027-2028, explicitly stating it may not pass an ‘Act 1 Opt-Out Resolution.’ This prepares the board to seek referendum exceptions from the state to raise property taxes beyond the 3.6% state-mandated cap, with a key vote scheduled for January 28, 2027.
Policy Use
TRACK AND DOCUMENT: Item 4.C outlines the district’s timeline to seek state approval for a tax increase exceeding the Act 1 cap. Calendar the key dates, especially the Jan 28, 2027 vote on seeking referendum exceptions, and add the district to the state fiscal tracker.
Policy Lever: Property Tax Increase
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| NOTED (LEVEL 2) |
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State Sets 3.6% Cap on Property Tax Increases
The district reports that under Pennsylvania’s Act 1, its maximum allowable property tax increase for the 2027-2028 budget is 3.6%. The district did not qualify for any adjustments to raise taxes beyond this cap without a referendum. This sets the fiscal context for the upcoming budget cycle where the board is already planning to potentially exceed this cap.
Policy Use
Monitor only; no action required. Item 4.B establishes the state-mandated cap for the upcoming budget cycle.
Policy Lever: State Tax Cap
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✅ Models to Replicate
Local actions worth capturing as model policy.
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| Aligned (LEVEL 6) |
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Resolution to Shift Delinquent Tax Collection Costs to Offenders
The committee is discussing a resolution to authorize the Bucks County Tax Claim Bureau to collect delinquent real estate taxes. This change would make delinquent taxpayers, rather than the district, responsible for all collection fees, ensuring the district receives 100% of owed taxes. This represents a move toward more efficient and complete tax revenue collection, ensuring those who pay on time do not subsidize collection costs.
How to Capture It
CAPTURE THE MODEL: Item 4.A presents a resolution for more efficient delinquent tax collection. Capture the provided resolution text and the county’s presentation as a model of fiscal responsibility to share with other districts in Pennsylvania.
✅ Why It Matters: Tax Collection Efficiency
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District Leadership
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100 Commerce Drive, Quakertown, PA 18951 |
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America First Policy Institute
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