With no progress to report on tax payments from the owners of Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park, the borough council approved a 2024 budget 6-1 with a 17 percent property tax hike, an average of $400 more per taxpayer, at a Dec. 28 special council meeting, writes Briana Smith for 6abc.

Prospect Medical Holdings, owner of Crozer Health and Taylor Hospital, is late paying $487,000 in property taxes for the property.

“It’s unfair and just plain wrong to burden the taxpayers of Ridley Park with this historic tax rate in order to pay the 2023-24 tax bill of this depraved, greedy organization,” said resident Mike Gale. “Please fight for us. Will you do that?”

A Crozer Health spokesperson released a statement on the tax payment.

“Crozer Health has been in active negotiations with taxing authorities to determine the fair market value of the property which the property taxes should be based upon. We are optimistic that we will be able to reach a mutually agreed-upon resolution.”

Council President Dane Collins reported some movement as the borough solicitor and Prospect Medical attorneys continued talks in the past six weeks.

The 2024 budget can still be amended up until Feb. 15. 

Find out more about Ridley Park’s tax shortage problem at 6abc.