BETHLEHEM TWP., Pa. — While Bethlehem Township homeowners could be looking at steady property taxes in the coming year, sewage rates are being proposed to rise by about 3.1%.
Township commissioners on Monday unanimously approved advertising its updated budget ordinance.
Andrew Freda, township finance director, said there’s no proposed property tax increase for the general fund, as it’s remained fixed at 7.74 mills since 2018.
“That’s a combination of general purpose [tax] at 7.59 mil, plus a dedicated .15 mills that goes directly to the fire tax,” Freda said.
A mill in Northampton County amounts to $1 for every $1,000 of assessed property value.
“We feel these increases in the rate, which would be the first reading date on or after Jan. 1, would accommodate that increase. So if this goes through, the end user would realize three quarters at the new rate or one quarter at the old rate in 2024, and then in 2025 you’re at the new rate.”Bethlehem Twp. Finance Director Andrew Freda
A sewage rate increase, also receiving unanimous approval to advertise, could be implemented to offset foreseen expenditures in the township’s sewer revenue fund.
Bethlehem — which serves surrounding municipalities, including Bethlehem Township, with wastewater services — is proposing an 8% sewage rate increase to its residents to cover capital costs at its treatment facility. Township officials said they wanted to get ahead of those potential bumps in costs.
If a property uses less than 6,000 gallons of water per quarter, that would equal to a $1.75 increase per quarter.
More than 6,000 gallons used? The township would be going from charging $7.27 to $7.50 per additional 1,000 gallons past that point.
Flat-rate customers would see a $2.50 increase, going from $72 to $74.50 per quarter.
“We feel these increases in the rate, which would be the first reading date on or after Jan. 1, would accommodate that increase,” Freda said. “So if this goes through, the end user would realize three quarters at the new rate or one quarter at the old rate in 2024, and then in 2025 you’re at the new rate.”
ARCHIE Project funding
Before the budget vote, Commissioner John Gallagher said The ARCHIE Project has a busy year ahead. The project was created in 2019 to raise money to restore the interior of the home of Bethlehem’s first mayor, Archibald Johnston.
Gallagher said the group will likely need more than the $3,000 allotted during the current year, proposing to bump its funding from the township and add $8,000 to the proposed budget to help cover advertising and mailing costs.
“It would help us tremendously as a township to get that mansion renovated for public use. We are also under the gun for the Housnick Trust, which gave us the money to renovate the exterior of the building.”Bethlehem Twp. Commissioner John Gallagher
“It would help us tremendously as a township to get that mansion renovated for public use,” Gallagher said. “We are also under the gun for the Housenick Trust, which gave us the money to renovate the exterior of the building.”
“It would really be nice if the Housenick Trust could pony up a little bit of money because they’re sitting on over a million dollars,” Commission President John Merhottein said.
That motion passed unanimously.
Budget outlook
The township is listing nearly $29 million in total money available as part of its general fund, including a projected $16.27 million in taxes, over $712,000 from licensing and permitting and $61,000 in fines, forfeits and penalties.
General fund expenditures are estimated to weigh in at nearly $20.95 million. That amount includes $9.74 million in public safety spending, $2.82 million for public works and $2.21 million in debt service.
The budget is showing the sewer revenue fund as equal parts revenue and expenditures, coming in at $6.2 million.
The stormwater fund is projected to bring in $2.13 million, while expenses could weigh in at $2.12 million. That fund is estimated to have $250,000 as its opening balance.
As far as capital reserves go, the township is listing $3.14 million in revenues and $3.14 million in expenses, including a $150,000 opening balance.
The fire tax fund is projected to start with $222,000, tacking on an additional $141,122 in taxes and over $17,000 in revenue if the advertised budget gets a green light.
