Bethlehem Township: No Tax Hike, But Sewer Bills For Some Will Rise

Andrew Freda, BT Director of Finance

It appears likely that there will be no tax hike in Bethlehem Township next year. At their November 21 meeting, Commissioners voted unanimously to advertise a 2017 budget that will keep the same 7.09 millage rate that was imposed for this year. But Commissioners are projected to spend more money than they receive in taxes and other revenue. This will create a structural deficit, which will be made up by taking it from the general fund. That will drop from $2.5 million to $1.8 million at year's end.  

A 7.09 millage rate means that a home assessed at $100,000 will receive a $709 tax bill.

Resident Roy Roth told Commissioners that Hanover Township has been able to go nine years without a tax hike,and said one of the reasons is that Hanover refuses to include grants in their budget because they are always uncertain. Tom Nolan told Roth that the Township is now putting money aside for major capital items like fire trucks.

Though the tax rate will remain the same, some Township residents will see their sewer bills go up next year. This is because Bethlehem, which handles the Township's sewage system, gave notice in October that it was increasing its rate by 6.5%.

Though the Township is passing along this increase, Finance Director Andrew Freda took an innovative approach that will spare most residents.

Currently, ratepayers pay $52.50 per quarter, so long as they use 6,000 gallons or less. If they use more, the rate is 0.0069 per gallon.

Under the new rate structure, customers who use 6,000 gallons or less will continue paying the same $52.50 they pay now. But those who use more will see an increase of 0.00707 per gallon above the 6,000 gallons.

"We have a lot of residents in the township that use far less than 6,000 gallons," said Michael Hudak. "We wanted to make sure there was no increase on their end." Malissa Davis added that the increase only applies to usage above 6,000 gallons.

The rate increase will go into effect in the second quarter in the second quarter of the year.

Freda added that ratepayers will be able to pay their sewer bills online. No registration is required, and customers can ask for email reminders or even enroll in auto-pay or pay-by-text.  

In other business, Commissioners authorized a $109,715 payment to TandM Associates as it attempts to survey its storm water problem."That is our first  foot in the door," said Hudak. They also approved a $5,442.50 to RGC Development for a backflow preventer on athletic fields referred to as the North Forty. Kim Jenkins noted that the Bulldogs, a youth sports association, has volunteered to pay half of that bill.