The second public reading of the 2015 South Whitehall Township proposed budget didn't have any better news for residents than the first.
A roughly 36 percent tax increase is not welcome news no matter if it's discussed once or twice, but it's something that - at least one commissioner said during Wednesday night's meeting - simply had to be done.
"Through the years we've depleted our reserves," said Commissioner David Bond. "We're paying the piper."
While the budget has been available for public viewing, some residents may have decided it's better to look at something else.
A shortfall of more than $1.53 million has caused township officials to request a .6 mill tax increase that would generate more than $1.35 million in revenue next year.
The increase will mean a home assessed at $100,000 would see a $60.01 increase, while a house assessed at roughly $280,000 would see a tax increase of $168.48 annually.
The township's current millage rate is 1.64.
"We've made some significant cuts," said Commissioner Glenn Block of the budget process.
But commissioners said that despite their best efforts at frugality, rising pension and medical costs are "out of our control," according to Block.
Bond added that the township has done a good job at extending the life of certain goods and items to keep costs lower, but eventually things wear out and must be replaced.
"We don't anticipate doing this every year," said Bond of the percentage of the proposed tax increase.
Should commissioners approve the budget at their next meeting, this will be the first tax increase South Whitehall Township residents have had in 29 years.
In other news Wednesday night, officials from Coordinated Health presented a sketch of their request for zoning relief for signage improvements to their facilities, located on Cedar Crest Boulevard in the township, during a public comment session.
The campus currently has six buildings and the company is seeking zoning relief to place a digital sign on Cedar Crest Boulevard and the placement of banners on 11 different light posts to add direction and continuity to patients who are driving on the facility, in addition to a larger sign on the south end of their property that would be visible from Route 22, according to Jim Tsokanos, president of Coordinated Health.
In other business, commissioners granted preliminary and final approval to the first phrase of development for the Cedar Creek Parkway West, the 139-acre recreational area in the 4200 block of Broadway in the township.
The approval grants construction of two additional soccer fields and parking area.
And commissioners also heard a presentation of potential updates to the township's master fee schedule.
Commissioners rendered no verdict on the proposed changes, rather taking them under advisement, and instructed township staff to compare the proposed fees to other municipalities in the area of at least one category - flood plain permits.
The township's holiday tree-lighting ceremony is scheduled for 5 p.m. on December 6 at the municipal building.
Commissioner Thomas Johns was absent from Wednesday night's meeting.
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