Marple Township commissioners have approved a 5.49 percent real estate tax increase.

At the monthly commissioners this week, officials approved the 2026 budget of $32.1 million, which comes with the millage going from about $2.64 to about $2.78 per $1,000 of assessed property value.

Christine McMenamin, Marple finance director said they worked very hard over the past weeks to make changes to the budget. They have reduced staff and are asking for an increase of 14.5 cents per $1,000 of assessed value.

She said the average house valued at $375,000 would see an annual increase of $87.

McNenamin blamed rising labor costs and medical benefits as driving the increases.

During public comment, one speaker said cuts to the township library funding means spending nearly $200,000 less than in 20

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