Bensalem Township Councilman Joey Wenzel Jr recently clarified an important point: Bensalem Township and Bensalem Township School District are completely separate governments. He’s right—and with the school district facing a 8.25% property tax increase proposal, it’s crucial residents understand what this means for their wallets.
Why the Confusion Exists
Unlike neighboring areas where school districts serve multiple municipalities (Neshaminy serves Middletown, Lower Southampton, and others; Pennsbury covers Yardley, Lower Makefield, and more), Bensalem has one township and one school district covering the exact same area with nearly identical names.
This creates confusion when residents hear about “Bensalem” budget problems or tax increases. Which Bensalem are we talking about?
Your Tax Bill Breaks Down Like This
Your annual property tax bill includes charges from three separate governments:
- Bucks County taxes (county services)
- Bensalem Township taxes (police, fire, roads, parks, trash)
- Bensalem School District taxes (K-12 education)
The school portion is by far the largest—typically 60-70% of your total property tax bill.
Here’s What Actually Matters: Tax Increases Work Differently
Township (Township Council): Can raise municipal taxes by majority vote. No voter approval required.
School District (School Board): Subject to Pennsylvania Act 1 limits. Can only raise taxes up to a state-calculated “index” (4.4% this year) without voter approval. To go higher, they need either:
- Voter referendum approval, OR
- State-approved exceptions (special education costs, pension increases, etc.) that let them skip the referendum
The current 8.25% school tax proposal far exceeds the 4.4% index. The School Board is pursuing exceptions to avoid putting it to voters.
What This Means for You
The Township Council has zero control over school district taxes. The School Board has zero control over municipal taxes.
If the school tax increase passes, the owner of a median-assessed Bensalem home ($20,000 assessment) will pay roughly $115 more annually to the school district—regardless of what the Township does with municipal taxes.
The Township could freeze or even cut municipal taxes, and you’d still see your total tax bill increase because of the school portion.
Bottom Line
When you hear “Bensalem budget crisis” or “Bensalem tax increase,” your first question should be: Which Bensalem?
The answer determines everything—who decides, what limits apply, and whether you get to vote on it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are Bensalem Township and Bensalem School District the same government?
A: No. Bensalem Township and Bensalem School District are two completely separate governmental entities with different elected officials, separate budgets, and independent taxing authority. The Township handles municipal services like police, fire protection, road maintenance, and parks. The School District handles K-12 public education. They just happen to serve the exact same geographic area and share similar names, which creates confusion.
Q: Who controls my property taxes in Bensalem?
A: Three different governments control different portions of your property tax bill. Bucks County sets county taxes, Bensalem Township Council sets municipal taxes, and the Bensalem School Board sets school district taxes. The school portion is typically the largest—about 60-70% of your total bill. No single entity controls your entire property tax amount.
Q: Can Bensalem Township Council raise or lower school district taxes?
A: No. The Township Council has zero authority over school district taxes, and the School Board has zero authority over municipal taxes. They are completely independent governments. The Township Council can only control the municipal portion of your tax bill (roughly 15-20% of the total).
Q: Can I vote on the proposed 8.25% school tax increase?
A: Not necessarily. Pennsylvania’s Act 1 of 2006 allows school districts to raise taxes up to a state-calculated “index” (4.4% for Bensalem in 2025-26) without voter approval. To exceed this index, districts must either hold a voter referendum OR obtain state-approved exceptions for certain costs like special education and pension contributions. The Bensalem School Board is pursuing exceptions that would allow the 8.25% increase without a public vote.
Q: What’s the difference between the Township Council and the School Board?
A: The Township Council is Bensalem’s municipal governing body—5 elected council members plus a mayor who oversee police, fire, public works, parks, and local services. The School Board consists of 9 elected members who govern the school district and oversee K-12 education. They meet separately, pass separate budgets, and answer to voters through separate elections.
Q: How much will the school tax increase cost me?
A: For a home with Bensalem’s median assessment of $20,000, the proposed 8.25% school tax increase would cost approximately $115 more per year. Your actual increase depends on your property’s assessed value. Remember, this is only the school district portion—it doesn’t include any changes to township or county taxes.
Q: If the Township freezes or cuts taxes, will my total tax bill still go up?
A: Yes, it could. Because school taxes represent 60-70% of your total property tax bill, a large school tax increase can more than offset any municipal tax cuts. For example, if the Township cut municipal taxes by 5% but the School District raised taxes by 8.25%, most homeowners would still see their overall tax bill increase.
Q: Why doesn’t Bensalem work like Neshaminy or Pennsbury school districts?
A: Neshaminy and Pennsbury school districts each serve multiple municipalities—Neshaminy covers parts of Middletown, Lower Southampton, and other townships, while Pennsbury spans Yardley, Lower Makefield, and others. Bensalem is unusual because one township and one school district cover the exact same geographic area with nearly identical names. This makes it harder for residents to distinguish which “Bensalem” government is responsible for what.
Q: What is Pennsylvania Act 1 and how does it affect school taxes?
A: Act 1 of 2006 (the Taxpayer Relief Act) limits how much school districts can raise property taxes each year without voter approval. The state calculates an annual “index” based on inflation and other factors. For 2025-26, Bensalem’s index is 4.4%. School boards can raise taxes up to this amount on their own. To exceed it, they need either a voter referendum or state-approved exceptions for specific costs like special education, debt service, or pension contributions.
Q: Can the School Board use exceptions to avoid asking voters about the tax increase?
A: Yes. If the Pennsylvania Department of Education approves the School Board’s exception requests (for special education costs, pension increases, etc.), the board can raise taxes above the 4.4% index without holding a referendum. This is legal under Act 1, even though it means voters don’t get a direct say on the increase.
Q: Where can I voice my opinion about the school tax increase?
A: Attend Bensalem School Board meetings, which are typically held on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM at the Bensalem High School Administration Building. You can speak during the public comment period. You can also contact individual school board members directly—their contact information is available on the district website at bensalemsd.org.
Q: Where can I voice my opinion about Township taxes or services?
A: Attend Bensalem Township Council meetings, held on the second and fourth Monday of each month at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers at the Municipal Building (2400 Byberry Road). The meetings include public comment periods. You can also contact the Mayor or individual council members.
Q: Who do I contact about my property tax bill?
A: It depends on which portion you’re asking about:
- For school district taxes: Contact the Bensalem School District Business Office at (215) 750-2800
- For township taxes: Contact Bensalem Township Finance Department at (215) 633-3600
- For county taxes or property assessments: Contact Bucks County Assessment Office at (215) 348-6219
- General tax questions: Your mortgage company (if you have an escrow account) or the Bucks County Tax Claim Bureau
Q: Will this article be updated if the School Board changes their tax proposal?
A: Yes. Bensalem Weekly will update this article as the budget process develops. The School Board must adopt a final budget by June 30, 2025. Subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on social media for updates on both Township and School District budget decisions.
Sources
Primary Sources:
- Pennsylvania Act 1 of 2006 – Taxpayer Relief Act (property tax limitations)
- Bensalem Township School District Budget Documents
- 2025-26 Proposed Budget and tax increase information
- https://www.bensalemsd.org/
- Bensalem Township Government Structure
- Mayor-Council form of government information
- https://www.bensalempa.gov/township-government.html
- Pennsylvania Department of Education – Act 1 Index
- Annual index calculations for school districts
- https://www.education.pa.gov/Policy-Funding/PropertyTax/Pages/ActIndex.aspx
- Bucks County Assessment Information
- Property assessment and tax bill structure
- https://www.buckscounty.gov/government/CoreGovernment/Assessment
Reference for comparison:
6. Neshaminy School District – multi-municipality example
7. Pennsbury School District – multi-municipality example
