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s Centre Region municipalities finalize their fiscal plans for 2025, four out of six local governments have approved real estate tax increases for the new year. State College Borough and Halfmoon Township are exceptions, with no tax increase planned.
Centre County's proposed 2025 budget, set to be adopted on December 31, features no tax increase for the 15th consecutive year. Here's a breakdown of the Centre Region municipalities' budgets and tax rates:
STATE COLLEGE BOROUGH
The borough's $77 million budget includes a 3-mil property tax increase, the largest among Centre Region municipalities. This increase is aimed at achieving a balanced budget by 2027 without relying on one-time funds for recurring expenses. For a residential property with a $300,000 market value and no homestead exclusion, the annual real estate tax increase would be $159.29.
COLLEGE TOWNSHIP
College Township will have no real estate tax increase in 2025 for the third consecutive year. The township's tentative budget includes $12.08 million in expenditures and $11.01 million in revenues, with a difference coming from available fund balance.
FERGUSON TOWNSHIP
Ferguson Township approved a .75-mil real estate tax increase and an increase in the real estate transfer tax to 1.37%. The increases are intended to help achieve a structurally balanced budget. Despite some debate over filling staff vacancies, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve the final operating budget.
HALFMOON TOWNSHIP
Halfmoon Township residents will again see no change in their real estate tax rate, which was reduced by 1 mil in 2023 and had no increase in 2024. The township's $1.73 million operating budget includes a $1.41 general fund budget.
HARRIS TOWNSHIP
Harris Township will have a real estate tax increase for the third consecutive year after a 0.3-mil bump in 2023 and a 1.1-mil increase in 2024. The township "went to great lengths to minimize increases within the 2025 budget," including reassigning one-time projects to the special projects fund.
PATTON TOWNSHIP
Real estate taxes will increase for a second consecutive year after a 0.4-mil bump in 2024. The increase is mostly needed due to rising costs and the end of American Rescue Plan Act money.
