Lower Saucon approves proposed budget for 2024

• Lower Saucon Township has given preliminary approval to its 2024 budget
• It keeps property tax rates steady
• It notes police, public works and administration as primary expenses, and lists real estate taxes, wage taxes and landfill host fees as key revenue streams

LOWER SAUCON TWP., Pa. — Lower Saucon Township Council on Wednesday gave preliminary approval to a 2024 budget with no property tax increase.

“I just want to recognize that council has presented a balanced budget with no tax increase again,” Council President Jason Banonis said.

“This budget is out before the election so that the residents can see exactly what monies are being allocated and how they’re intended to be spent.”

The vote for approval was 4-1, with Councilwoman Priscilla deLeon voting against the proposal.

The property tax rate would remain at 5.14 mills.

Banonis said that some Lower Saucon administrations of the past had presented the budget after elections, causing less transparency in the finances to the township.

The budget lists no debt. Officials said the township holds $6.3 million in restricted funds and $3 million in unrestricted funds, with intentions to use some of that reserve money to support capital improvement projects in the new year.

The administration is projecting $8,713,027 in general fund expenses, with more than $2 million planned to transfer to “other funds” or for reserves.

Revenue streams

Officials estimate a $27,000 increase in real estate tax from last year, “estimating less as we continue to see assessment appeals, decisions and construction of new homes is not materializing as anticipated due to the economy,” the proposed budget reads.

Some other taxes — earned income, local services and real estate transfer tax varieties — seem to be bringing in more than the previous year, according to the budget.

Those taxes are estimated to total about $3.63 million — $72,000 more than the previous budget.

The budget's revenue streams project $2.3 million in host fees from Bethlehem Township — or about 21% of the township’s projected revenue. Officials also are looking at annual 4% increase, as per the landfill host agreement.

The cost of engineering services are expected to drop nearly $20,000 from last year's budget. Some of those funds are allocated to appoint a landfill host municipal inspector, among other things.

Council member compensation is set at $3,250 per person, though the budget notes that Council President Jason Banonis and member Thomas Carocci have “voluntarily declined” their compensation.

Primary expenditures

The budget lists the township’s largest expenditures as police, public works and administration.

The police department is made up of its chief, one sergeant, an investigator-corporal, four corporals, 12 officers and one clerical employee.

After accounting for contracted salary increases, training, requested equipment, vehicle maintenance, firearms, other operational expenses and the hiring of four officers from the 2023 budget cycle, the department’s total compensation is listed as over $2.13 million, with an additional $1.38 million for other supplies.

That’s a $363,204 increase and $36,633 decrease in those two categories, respectively, as compared to the previous budget.

The public works department plans to add a tema member to its 11 employees in the new year.

Budgeting includes contractual wage increases and a 3% raise for salaried staff, as well as road repair materials, signs and vehicle repairs. Increased funding is planned to cover CDL licensing reimbursement and pension payments.

That comes out to $973,159 in compensation, $155,000 in material costs and $756,300 in supplies and benefits. Compensation is up more than $93,000 over last year, and supplies and benefits up $69,000.

The township also plans to pave more roads in 2024 and set aside funds for removing dead ash trees.