MACUNGIE, Pa. — In a meeting dominated by discussions of the future of the Macungie Volunteer Fire Company, borough council made a quick vote to approve the 2024 budget.
Like with its next-door neighbor Lower Macungie Township, borough officials decided to retain its tax rates without changes next year.
Unlike Lower Macungie Township, which anticipates significant trash collection cost increases this year, Macungie is in its second year of a three-year contract with Whitetail Disposal. Residents in 2022 saw prices more than double, from around $17 a month to over $40, as part of a new contract signed that September.
Taxes for the borough include a real estate tax at 4.25 mills on each dollar of assessed property valuation, a 1$ real estate transfer tax, a $10 per annum per capita tax on all residents 18 and older, and a $52 local services tax. Sewer and water rates also remain unchanged.
A 1% earned income tax also remains, with half of the collected amount going to the East Penn School District, which decided to raise taxes this year and is discussing a massive facilities expansion.
An overall loss in the general fund is foreseen of $52,274, compared to last year's $160,900 surplus. However, Borough Manager John Brown said estimates do not consider the impact of the yet-to-be-built Fields at Brookside development, which would bring 66 new single-family homes to the borough.
Modest increases were seen across salaries and pension funding. Alongside that, the cost of medical, eye and dental benefits to borough employees also saw increases. Pension funding for police saw a large increase, up to $138,194 from $72,540.
A fourth full-time patrol police officer is budgeted for 2024. Officer Sabdiel Diaz's hiring was approved by council during its Nov. 20 meeting.
Solid waste billing revenue is expected to increase by nearly $30,000, up to $672,192 from $645,694.
A significant jump in general fund interest earnings revenue is documented, up to $129,093 from $3,086 in 2023.
To match plans to shift to the Lower Macungie Fire Department, budgeted allocations for fire protection rose to $90,000 from $50,000 in 2023. Half of the funds in 2023 were withheld following the failure to provide an audit by the borough's volunteer fire company after concerns were raised.
Also approved was a contract with Emmaus Public Library - an item that last year brought supporters rallying to council meetings. As with last year, councilman Carl Sell was the only dissenting vote.
It notes a payment of $22,450 to the Emmaus Public Library and will be paid quarterly.
Copies of the finalized budget are available for review at Macungie Borough Hall.
