The 1-mill tax hike for Connoquenessing Borough in 2025 will be earmarked toward increased funding for the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Department.

The Connoquenessing Borough Council approved a 1 mill increase for Connoquenessing Fire Department funding at its Monday, Dec. 30, meeting. This comes following approval of the 2025 budget earlier this month.

The council approved a 2025 budget that expects slight increases in both income and spending.

Income for the budget’s general fund is expected to be $251,537, with expenses the exact same total. The sewage fund income is expected to be $248,960, with expenses at $211,781.

With an increase in the budget’s general fund income of over $16,000 from 2024, notable increases for 2025 include an increase of $30,000 in anticipated earned income tax collection.

The millage increase for the fire department was approved 3-2 vote with Raymond Betz, Robert Martin and Jason Spear voting in favor, and council members Robert Campbell and Francis Smith voting against the hike.

“As far as my reason for voting in favor of the increase, if you ask anybody in the community, everybody supports the fire department. If you get caught in a crash on Route 68, they’re the ones that come and save you,” mayor Raymond Betz said.