Cheltenham Township’s 2027 budget proposal includes an effective tax increase of 5%

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Cheltenham , Elkins Park , Glenside , Melrose Park , Wyncote | Municipal Announcements

November 5th, 2026 | By Ryan Genova

The Cheltenham Township Board of Commissioners presented the proposed 2027 Budget and Financial Plan during a meeting on Wednesday, November 4.

The proposal includes a 2.1702-mill increase of the property tax rate, from 10.8512 to 13.0214 mills, or approximately 20%. However, because municipalities can no longer collect a separate stormwater fee, the effective tax hike is 5%.

“That number [20%] doesn’t tell the whole story. For the past three years, most Township homeowners have paid a separate stormwater fee of $220 annually,” a follow-up post by Commissioner Emily Cheramie Walz said. “With that fee going away, the proposed tax increase is largely offset by the elimination of that charge.”

The elimination of the stormwater fee means the township “must now fund stormwater infrastructure, maintenance, and regulatory obligations through its general revenue, including property taxes,” the post said, noting that the estimated net increase is approximately $89 per year for the average homeowner.

“It’s also important to remember that Township taxes represent approximately 17% of a homeowner’s total property tax bill. The School District accounts for approximately 75%, and the County approximately 8%. The proposed increase applies only to the Township portion,” the post said. “The budget also includes a $15 million bond issuance as the first phase of a longer-term $35 million investment in Township facilities and infrastructure. The goal is to address significant deferred maintenance and reinvest in assets that serve our community.”

The presentation also discussed renovation plans for the La Mott Community Center and Rowland Community Center.

The La Mott Community Center—fully closed since October 2021 due to failing infrastructure and heating issues—was released for bids in July. The La Mott Community Center Restoration Rehabilitation Project has received a total of $5.2 million in grants, including a $3,828,500 grant received in March 2024.

“We’re slowly cobbling together the money so that we’ll be able to tackle Rowland after La Mott is underway,” township manager Jonathan Altshul told Glenside Local in September.

Other budget points of note:

$1.4 million has been allotted for playground projects, including replacing the wooden structure at Wall Park and new play structures at Carroll Brooke Park.

$5 million has been allotted to bond funding for a new pool at the Conklin site. A “community visioning process” will take place in early 2027.

The Cheltenham Township Library System will receive approximately $1.8 million in operating support, including $200,000 for a new roof at Glenside Library.

Residents are invited to share feedback at the following meetings:

  • November 10 at 8:30 p.m.: Finance Committee budget review and recommendation.
  • November 18 at 7:30 p.m.: Board consideration of the Preliminary Budget.
  • Week of November 23: Preliminary Budget available for public review at cheltenhampa.gov/budget.
  • December 9 at 8:30 p.m.: Finance Committee review of the Final Budget.
  • December 16 at 7:30 p.m.: Public Budget Hearing and consideration of the Final Budget.

Residents can also submit comments and questions to manager@cheltenhampa.gov.

You can watch Wednesday’s meeting below:

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