Finance

The Finance Department maintains all the accounting records, journal entries, payroll, bank and account reconciliations, internal controls, purchasing, budgeting, and financial reporting. The Finance Director supervises the work of the staff accountant and AR specialist within the Finance Department. The Director is responsible for all financial operations of the Borough including budget preparation and monthly financial reporting to Borough Council. The Director coordinates the annual audit with the appointed accounting firm and state and local agencies. The staff accountant is responsible for accounts payable and bi-weekly payroll processing. The AR Specialist provides customer service for tax, stream protection, and sewer.

Real Estate Taxes

Borough tax bills are mailed in mid-February. Property owners are responsible for mailing their tax bills to their mortgage companies for payments through escrow. Tax payments can be paid by check, cash or credit card at the Finance Department located in the municipal building, M-F from 8:00 am-4:00 pm.

Click here to pay real estate taxes online.

Payment providers handling bulk payments on behalf of mortgage companies may contact us at RealEstateTaxes@west-chester.com 

Real Estate Certifications

Tax, sewer, and stream protection certifications are required for all real estate transactions. Each certification is $50 for a total of $150 for all three and must be paid at the time of the request. Certifications require ten business days to be completed. 

Click here to order tax, sewer, and stream protection certifications.

Sewer Payments

The Borough contracts with Aqua for processing of our monthly sewer billing. Sewer bills are generated from water meter readings. The Borough charges a base rate of $34.84 for the first 2,000 gallons of usage. The rate for gallons over 2,000 is $9.25. Sewer payments are made payable to the Borough of West Chester. 

All questions regarding billing can be made directly to Aqua at 877-987-2782.

Aqua offers the following payment options:

  • Mail your sewer bill payment to: Aqua, PO Box 70279, Philadelphia, PA 19176-0279.
  • Pay with Aqua ePortal. Enroll or sign in with existing Aqua user information and link your 16-digit sewer account. Website: aquawater.com/pay my bill
  • Make a one-time payment. Website: aquawater.com/pay my bill
  • Pay by phone with Speedpay. Credit card payments accepted by calling Speedpay at 866-269-2906
  • Pay online with Speedpay. Website: aquawater.com/pay my bill 
  • In person payments are accepted at Western Union locations in the area. The closet West Union locations are Giant, 698 Downingtown Pike, West Chester, PA 19380, or ShopRite, 115 West Chester Pike, West Chester, PA 19382

Stream Protection Fee

The Borough levies a fee on all property in the borough to build and maintain stormwater infrastructure that benefit each property in the borough. The fee is based upon the amount of impervious coverage (paving and roofs for instance) such that properties that generate more stormwater runoff pay a higher fee. More information is available on the Stream Protection Fee Program page.