WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — Indications are the township’s 2026 annual budget will get the green light next week with the first property tax increase since 2019.
None of the four members of the township board of commissioners present at a workshop session Monday objected to Mayor Joseph J. Marx, Jr.’s proposed $36.7 million budget.
The full board will vote on the proposed budget at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8 in the municipal building.Whitehall Township commissioners meeting
The full board will vote on the proposed budget at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8 in the municipal building.
Board members in attendance Monday were Vice President Jeffrey Warren, Philip Ginder, Ken Snyder and Elizabeth Fox.
Included in the proposed budget is an increase in real estate tax — from 3.80 mills to 4.70 mills — an increase of 0.9 mills or almost 24%.
That would mean the owner of property assessed at $250,000 for tax purposes would pay $225 a year more — or $18.75 per month.
The increase is needed because of the township’s relatively stagnated economic growth, increases in fixed costs and the township's present and future capital needs, Marx said in a letter to commissioners in October.
The proposed tax increase would be the first since 2019 and only the second millage increase since the 2013 tax reassessment.
Despite increasing the budget amounts of certain revenues, real estate tax losses, fixed cost expenditure increases and capital needs require additional revenue.
Trash fee increase
The board also advanced an ordinance increasing the annual municipal solid waste tax, or trash fee, to $615 from $335 per residence.
The fee covers weekly trash and recycling collection.
A second trash receptacle would cost a resident an additional $130. Residents age 72 or older can apply for an exoneration or discount based on income.
Customers will get a 2% discount for initially paying the fee in full.
Residents 72 years old and older will receive a 25% discount.
Township commissioners in October voted to approve a five-year, trash collection contract with J.P. Mascaro & Sons, replacing previous hauler Waste Management.
Treasurer’s bond
The board advanced a resolution establishing the amount of the treasurer’s bond for 2026 in the amount of $29,440,000.
The bond will be secured through the Lehigh County Clerk of Judicial Records.
A treasurer’s bond protects public funds against losses caused by the treasurer’s misconduct, negligence or failure to perform their duties.
