A proposed 1 percent earned income tax in Upper Darby that’s supposed to raise up to $9 million in revenue and potentially freeze property taxes met resistance at a recent Upper Darby budget meeting.

Upper Darby Mayor Barbarann Keffer, in her final weeks of office, proposed the tax for 2024, writes Pete Bannan for the Daily Times.

“We’re in a tight spot here in general: we want to provide excellent services, great public safety services, but we need revenue for that,” Keffer said.

Right now, the township relies heavily on property taxes, the third highest in the county, which have been flat. Upper Darby’s the only municipality of its size that does not rely on an EIT, she said.

But Carl Hemphill, owner of Delco Mulch in Upper Darby, said it was the wrong time to take another 1 percent from his employees’ paycheck, reports Joe Holden for CBS Philadelphia.

“Right now, the economy is slowing,” Hemphill said. “It’s the absolute wrong time to raise any taxes.”

Upper Darby Council is expected to vote on the EIT ordinance Nov. 29. It would take effect Jan. 1.

Find out more about the proposed earned income tax in Upper Darby in the Daily Times and CBS Philadelphia.