Oct. 22, 2026
— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs
Bethlehem Township’s proposed 19.8% property-tax increase for 2027 amounts to only about 5%, after the elimination of a stormwater fee is taken into account.
That was the message Thursday from township Commissioner Matthew Deckman about the proposed $24 million general fund budget.
John Merhottein, president of the board, noted during the township’s first budget hearing that the increase is not final until the commissioners have worked through the plan.
Doug Bruce put the budget together after being re-appointed as township manager in September. Bruce held the job from 2018 and retired this year before coming back when Edward Hozza Jr. resigned.
The elimination of the township’s stormwater fee counteracts some of the 1.5-mill increase sought.
After the increase and the abolition of the fee are taken into account, Bruce said the proposed increase works out to about $45 annually for an average property, the net of a $150 tax increase on a property assessed at $100,000 less $105 from the stormwater fee.
Board Vice President John K. Gallagher suggested that the township Community Center seek to add activities that might bring in revenue.
Bruce said that over three years, health-insurance premiums have risen 43%, to $22,000 for one year for an employee with no dependents.
The biggest item in the $24 million general fund budget is $8.4 million for the township police department.
The township will hold two more budget hearings and hold a final vote on the 2027 spending plan in December.
