Abington Township Photo by James Short.
Abington Township residents will see modest increases in both property taxes and refuse collection fees in 2026 as part of the Township’s adopted budget. The approved budget includes a 0.25 mill increase in the property tax rate and a $125 increase in the annual trash and recycling fee.
For a home with a county assessment of $165,000, the millage increase translates to an additional $41.25 per year in property taxes. Township officials note that this marks the first property tax increase in three years.
Township administrators outlined several factors contributing to the millage adjustment. Since 2018, Abington Township’s overall assessed property value has steadily declined, which has reduced the effectiveness of the current millage rate in generating sufficient revenue to meet operating expenses. Additionally, the reassessment of the Willow Grove Park Mall is expected to significantly impact revenues in fiscal year 2026, with projected losses ranging from $985,000 to $1.3 million.
Another major budget pressure comes from rising pension obligations. Changes to the Township’s pension plan mortality tables have resulted in a substantial increase in the Minimum Municipal Obligation (MMO), requiring an additional $1.9 million in pension contributions compared to FY 2025.
Residents will also see an increase in refuse and recycling costs. The Township cited significant changes in the recycling and solid waste market, along with higher equipment costs since 2020, as reasons for the adjustment. Bid results for the Township’s transfer station contract, received in the summer of 2025, reflected these increased costs. To maintain current service levels, officials determined that a $125 increase in the refuse fee was necessary. This marks the first trash fee increase in approximately ten years.
In a recent newsletter, Commissioner John Spiegelman noted that residents may be able to offset the increased trash fee by downsizing to a smaller green trash cart, which carries a lower cost. Residents interested in exchanging their trash cart can contact the Refuse–Recycling Division at 267-536-1036 or submit a request online at abingtonpa.gov/servicerequest.
Township officials emphasized that the budget reflects efforts to balance fiscal responsibility with the continued delivery of essential services to residents.
