The spending plan next year will maintain the current real estate tax of 7.09 mills.According to Finance Director Andrew Freda, this translates to an annual tax bill of $647 for the average taxpayer.
In addition to real estate taxes, the Township imposes an earned income tax (0.5%). Freda predicts that the annual earned income tax payment per household will be $415.
Of the $18.5 million the Township will spend next year, nearly $8.5 million is budgeted for public safety, about two per cent more than in 2017. Nearly a third of the tax bill will fund police protection.
Commissioner Tom Nolan proposed establishing a fire tax for vehicle purchases and equipment at the two volunteer fire departments. But the other Commissioners preferred waiting until next year, when two new Commissioners join the Board.
"This is another important item that they're going to live with," said President Michael Hudak.
In other business, Commissioners tabled an ordinance that would prevent trash haulers from collecting before 6 am. Howard Kutzler called it a "quality of life issue," saying residents should be able to "at least sleep until 6 o'clock." Malissa Davis suggested seeking input from the garbage collectors. Hudak stated that he has spoken to one waste collector who would like to collect at businesses at 5 am, but said those businesses are in residential neighborhoods. He was the sole dissenter to Kutzler's motion to table.
Though there's no fire tax, there is a tax break coming for volunteer firefighters. Commissioners unanimously agreed to advertise an ordinance that will exempt volunteer firefighters from up to $1,000 in earned income tax every years. "This is long overdue," said Kutzler. "The volunteers to this community save this community a lot of money."
Commissioners also voted to advise the District Attorney that a DUI Center lease of the Coolidge Building should be extended only one year instead of five. The Township wants to consider other uses of this property. Kutzler warned that it has been a steady source of revenue and has augmented the police presence in the Township.
Finally, Commissioners agreed to send a letter to Governor Wolf, opting out of any mini casino that might be possible in the Township. Kutzler was opposed, noting that "the Township has benefited heavily from the gaming industry." At Tom Nolan's suggestion, township officials will talk to Lehigh Valley Planning Commission first
Can't wait to vote for the person who runs on a reduce spending campaign in the township. 3 high ticket items are police spending, the money pit of a community center and the haunted house aka, Housenick mansion.
ReplyDeleteJoin forces with Colonial regional, sell the community center to a for profit fitness business and hand over the Housenick mansion to the county or some other entity capable of managing it's future.
8:53, sounds like you have a winning platform to run on next year... DO IT, run
ReplyDeleteCut police spending? Bethlehem Tp is not Bath. A few years ago, I watched police present their budget to a fired up township. Pat Breslin had leaked a tax hike and had everyone fired up,especially the tea party. The one department that came out unscathed was police. It is that way everywhere. It takes a special kind of jerk to cut police spending.
ReplyDeleteThe earned income tax rate in BT is 1%, not 0.5%. Here's a link to the ordinance:
ReplyDeletehttps://ecode360.com/13354891
Someone already ran on fiscal responsibility. That would be the new commissioner in the 4th Ward.
ReplyDeleteStill have to provide police protection but at a lesser cost than the 9 million dollars. Colonial Regional would become the regional police and would reduce all local municipalities spending as compared to everyone having their own. Freemansburg, Palmer Twp, Bethlehem Twp, Nazareth, Bath, entire Slate Belt (Bangor, Pen Argyl, Wind Gap). Again, not cut, reduce spending and regionalize. Other services would follow like public works (have really become landscapers) sewer & water etc.
ReplyDelete9m is a lot for police. Checked out bt's budget on the website. 5.6million for police. Not sure where the 9 came from. Breslin?
ReplyDelete11:47, it is 1% if a resident works in a municipality with no EIT. Otherwise, as explained in some of the budget documentation, it is 0.5%.
ReplyDeleteThe $8.5 million is for public safety, not just police.
ReplyDeleteBernie,
ReplyDeleteDidn't the law change a few years back that makes it mandatory for an employer to withhold the correct EIT for the town in which you live?
Pa law requires employers to withhold EIT.
ReplyDelete