Proposed real estate tax credit for Lehigh County volunteer firefighters moves forward

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Volunteer firefighters assist the residents of Lehigh County.

The county has decided to reciprocate.

Lehigh County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday unanimously approved a proposed an ordinance to allow for an annual $150 real estate tax credit to county volunteer firefighters.

• Lehigh County is proposing an annual $150 real estate tax credit for county volunteer firefighters
• The tax credit is expected to affect 300-400 firefighters
• The proposal is expected to be approved at an April 26 meeting

The legislation would affect active county volunteer firefighters.

To quality, firefighters must reside and own property in the county and respond to at least 20 percent of their department’s calls.

“We all feel this was an important way to say thank you to our volunteer firefighters,” said Commissioner Antonio Pineda, the primary sponsor of the proposal.

“They put their lives on the line every day. They deserve our appreciation for the work they do for the community.”

A first read of the proposal was held Wednesday. A second public hearing to get public input is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. April 26, followed by a second reading and vote during the commissioners’ 7:30 meeting.

Broad support for the measure

The legislation has drawn bi-partisan support from the commissioners, being co-sponsored by Democrats Bob Elbich and Dan Hartzell, and Republicans Ron Beitler and Jeffrey Dutt.

Elbich has been an active firefighter for New Tripoli Volunteer Fire Company and Weisenberg Township Fire Company as well as being a certified Emergency Medical Responder.

Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong also is a strong supporter of the legislation.

“We estimate that we’ll be processing 300 to 400 volunteer firefighters for this tax relief,” Armstrong said.

Pineda said the idea for the property tax relief for volunteer firefighters came to him when he attended a State County Commissioners Association Conference last fall.

During one of the breakout sessions, he learned about a similar program in Cumberland County.

“When I got back from Hershey, I called [Armstrong] and said, ‘We have to do this,’” Pineda said. “Phil was on board right away with me.”

Pineda said the property tax relief would be applicable for the 2023 tax year.

Pennsylvania Act 172 of 2016 established incentives for municipal volunteers of fire companies and nonprofit emergency medical services agencies by providing municipalities with the option to offer a real estate or earned income tax credit to active members of volunteer fire companies and nonprofit emergency medical service agencies through a volunteer service credit program.

Criteria for the credit

Active volunteers who meet the service credit criteria established by the municipality, in consultation with the fire chief or supervisor of the EMS agency, would be eligible for the tax credit.

If multiple individuals are owner/occupants of the same property, all may qualify for the real estate tax credit so long as each has a tax bill.

The total amount of the real estate tax credits shall not exceed the amount of the real estate tax paid for the property.

The tax credit was signed into law by then-Gov. Tom Wolf.

Pineda said commissioners may also consider affording the tax relief to county EMS personnel.

“The most effective thing government can do is to empower our local communities," Pineda said. "This is one way we can do that: reducing the tax burden on these heroes who sacrifice so much to keep our communities safe."

In other business Wednesday, the following were recommended to be appointed at the next meeting on April 26:

• Carol Frawley and Katie Mumford to the county’s Aging & Adult Services Advisory Council
• Henry R. Moore to the county’s Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities Board
• Keisha McCollin-Bulluck as Human Resources Officer. Bulluck comes to the county as Human Resources Administrator at Cedarbrook Senior Care and Rehabilitation in Allentown.