Bethlehem has received $34.4 million in ARPA funding over the past two years. These funds can be used to replace revenue lost during COVID. So no municipality should be imposing a tax hike anytime soon. Yet that's precisely what Mayor Willie Reynolds is doing. He has proposed a 2.6% tax hike next year as well as an 8% increase in sewer taxes. The City spent all but $2 million of ARPA funding
Today's one-liner: "The shortest way to the distinguishing excellence of any writer is through his hostile critics." Richard LeGallienne
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Tuesday, December 05, 2023
34 comments:
You own views are appreciated, especially if they differ from mine. But remember, commenting is a privilege, not a right. I will delete personal attacks or off-topic remarks at my discretion. Comments that play into the tribalism that has consumed this nation will be declined. So will comments alleging voter fraud unless backed up by concrete evidence. If you attack someone personally, I expect you to identify yourself. I will delete criticisms of my comment policy, vulgarities, cut-and-paste jobs from other sources and any suggestion of violence towards anyone. I will also delete sweeping generalizations about mainstream parties or ideologies, i.e. identity politics. My decisions on these matters are made on a case by case basis, and may be affected by my mood that day, my access to the blog at the time the comment was made or other information that isn’t readily apparent.
Thank you for bringing this to light. It is good for all Bethlehem residents to know this.
ReplyDeleteSeems imprudent,
ReplyDeleteGee, it's almost like a big bag of federal funding leads to more spending.
ReplyDeleteJudging from the last election, this tax increase was begged for, and is richly deserved. It should be greeted with unanimous approval. The people spoke. They want expensive wokeness. Democracy works. My township hasn't raised taxes in 27 years, including long before CoViD and ARPA. We're a one-party enclave, also. We keep getting what we elect, too.
ReplyDeleteGee, it's almost like all those new warehouses aren't paying enough in taxes to justify their destruction of farmland and open space
ReplyDeleteReynolds is and always will be an idiot...all this funding and He wants to screww the residients of this fair city..well I hope He enjoys because there will be no next term.......
ReplyDeleteCouncil members shall welcome Mr. Calahan with open arms shortly. For he knows the truth.
ReplyDeleteimpeach him
ReplyDeleteWee Willie, the present dynasty mayor, like his predecessor, has never met a mirror or a tax increase he didn't like. The real problem, however, is the blind "D" button pushing Bethlehem voters. They need to look in the mirror so they can see the root of the problem and their woes. But then it is much easier to just press a button than it is to think for yourself.
ReplyDeleteARPA can't be used to cut taxes or for the big hit the city is taking on the pension contribution and expense for new hires in public safety and the annual salary increases. They get credit for committing to no new debt. However, debate - criticism if you prefer - is warranted over the failure to use more ARPA for infrastructure - permitted usage - while using more to serve the long term agenda to convert Bethlehem into a homeless haven for the East Coast, a la San Fran and LA. Long term, this will be a source of unnecessary self-inflicted serious financial distress for the city.
ReplyDelete"ARPA can't be used to cut taxes o"
ReplyDeleteStop the horseshit. ARPA can and is being used to replace lost revenue in many more fiscally prudent jurisdictions, including NorCo. What schoolteachers Willie Reynolds and Eric Evans are doing is simply wasting money.
Eric will blindly do whatever Wee Willie wants because he knows there is still backlash from his wife getting the director job.
ReplyDeleteAnother example of wasted money
Delete"Gee, it's almost like all those new warehouses aren't paying enough in taxes to justify their destruction of farmland and open space"
ReplyDeletenot a lotta farmland being destroyed in bethlehem...
Seriously. A lot is!!!
DeleteThe "horseshit" is that the city lost some revenue that hadn't been recovered before ARPA funds arrived. That the city is good at wasting money, all can agree. Being fair, understand that the budget reflects the intent to maintain structural stability between recurring revenues and operating expenses rather than increasing operating expenses and funding them with one time revenues. Again, this is not to agree that all expenses and the political agenda serve the city's best or long term interests.
ReplyDeleteAt least Willy is not trying to use the parking authority to steal churches from their parishioners this time.
ReplyDeleteVoters recently spoke clearly about their city leaders. These increases are the will of the electorate. Detractors should be quiet and reread the election results. Candidates who ran against higher taxes were soundly defeated.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness Callahan got elected. Him, Grace Crampsie, and Rachel Leon seem to be actual independent thinkers. God knows Callahan will speak his mind and Grace has been going toe-to-toe with Willie and the administration at meetings. Rumor is that the Unions are vocally upset with him.
ReplyDeleteA tax increase. Come on, man. I smell a primary challenger.
Four things about the City's budget that jumped out for me after the mayor's Chamber of Commerce fundraiser dog and pony show breakfast on November 14 at Moravian College:
ReplyDelete1. If the city's finance are the best they've been "in a long, long, long time," why is a property tax increase of 2.6% needed?
2. The mayor championed sustainable revenues for his budget. One time revenues like the $34.4 million in federal ARPA funding are not sustainable revenue sources. Once it's spent, what replaces it?
3. How much of the 8% increase in sewer revenues will end up in the general fund, and not be used on capital improvements for the sewer system? It's an age old trick, increase specific user fees and then use them to bolster the general fund. Politicians get to claim no or low tax increases while still filling general fund budget holes.
4. How many and which employees are receiving increases in pay above cost of living and step increases, or reclassifications? If there are any, why hasn't a Council Human Resource & Environment Committee meeting being held to address this?
Budgets in Bethlehem (and probably elsewhere) are often a huge subterfuge, and it takes City Council Members with a a sufficient financial background to root out the tricks and hidden stuff to ask the right questions.
It also doesn't help when a mayor announces a budget one day and the next day is the first budget hearing. There is no way City Council knew enough about that budget to be well prepared for that intial budget hearing.
The citizens of Bethlehem truly made a mistake by not electing Mr Grubb. Mr Callahan will be licking his chops very soon. With respect to a few council members, as mentioned above, the others should learn to listen more and speak less. Much less
DeleteAll politicians want is to take our money. These people are not out for the good of the people. Government is out of control on all levels we must stop these people and start over because it is clear our system of government is not working
ReplyDeleteWow! Democrats raising taxes. What a newsflash you’ve given us here.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if they’re doing it in other cities too?
Bernie - do you think Willie Reynolds can lose in a primary? Who could raise the money to run a race against a sitting Mayor? He probably has at least 50,000 in his campaign account.
ReplyDeleteMoravian University
ReplyDeleteReynolds raises taxes and other user fees and then states the city is in the best shape in years. LOL. What a clown! Mayor Donchez straightened out the budget issues and did't raise taxes every year. Now Reynolds wants to buy the empty lot at Main St. and Garrison for a homeless shelter. We already have a homeless shelter that is run by the Church at Market and Center St. Why would we want Bethlehem to spend Millions on a shelter that isn't needed when we have the worst roads in the Lehigh Valley.
ReplyDeletePersonal political gains. Do you think he truly cares?
DeleteDemocrats voted for this. Also, these employees are going to get cost of living raises due to the high inflation you also voted for. So when will democrats change their voting habits? Maybe have all the registered dems pay the taxes and the republicans that vote against it not pay.
ReplyDeleteUnion employees are under contracted terms for their raises which is well below inflation rates. Look at non union personnel see what they get paid and their increases. Take a look at what your business administrator makes and his wife. Blame always gets pushed upon union staff and their contracts.
Delete11:50 One Term Willie wants a homeless shelter for one reason, to put a sub title on one of his mail pieces when he runs for his next political office. His dream is to be a career politician. Those that know him well know he will stab you in the back for a couple extra votes. He doesn't care about anyone who can't help him win his next campaign or office.
ReplyDeleteHe is trying to put a homeless shelter on Main St? Where? Why hasn't this been in the paper or made public?
ReplyDeleteOn Main @ Church would be fantastic!
DeleteThere is a empty lot on Main and Garrison in front of the Moravian House. Why would anyone put a homeless shelter on Main St? There are a ton of families and kids living all along Garrison and a lot of elderly across the street in the Moravian Towers.
ReplyDeleteBernie, if I am not mistaking, in the past did you not report on the current Business Administrator in Bedlum relying on or maybe even thinking that Bedlum was entitled to more casino money? I believe it was a good chunk of change.
ReplyDelete