Upper Milford Township Board of Supervisors Chair John Zgura was adamant about providing an additional meeting for open discussion with residents regarding the 2025 budget proposal held Oct. 24.

Zgura advocated for this special meeting as an opportunity for residents to ask questions, voice their opinions and engage in discussion rather than dealing with possible complaints after the budget is passed. This was a commitment of transparency in keeping residents of the township informed and involved in the budget process.

However, the nine audience members were the familiar faces who frequently attend the regular township meetings. The board members appeared disappointed their efforts to communicate the budget proposal were received by a very small number of residents.

There was no public comment to begin this special meeting. Supervisor Angela Ashbrook asked for clarification of the amount of money being provided to fire services. Secretary/Treasurer Jessi O’Donald explained the current 2024 rate for real estate tax is 0.45 mills. That equated to an estimated $379,974.78 in real estate tax to Upper Milford Township for 2024. This was divided into 0.139 mills going toward general fund expenses or $117,619.08 and 0.311 mills or $263,162.10 going toward fire service saving for major purchases and expenditures.

The proposed 2025 rate for real estate tax is 0.75 mills. This equates to an estimated $611,445.40 in real estate taxes to Upper Milford Township for 2025.

This will be divided as $179,332.02 or 0.211 mills going toward the general fund expenses of the township and $432,133.38 as a dedicated fire tax of 0.539 mills toward fire service savings for major purchases and expenditures.

The average real estate assessment in Upper Milford Township is $232,148.26. At 0.45 mills the average real estate tax was $104.47.

O’Donald said the proposed average real estate tax for 2025 at 0.75 mills will be $174.11. Of the average tax of $174.11, approximately $48.98 will go toward the general fund expenses of the township and $125.13 will go toward fire service.

Ashbrook also asked for a list of items the fire services purchased and Township Manager Bud Carter shared he will email this list to the board members.

Ashbrook’s last question was concerning the budget for the library and questioned why this amount was increased while other groups did not. O’Donald explained the other groups have not requested increases from the board while the library has due to increases in enrollment. O’Donald noted Meal on Wheels is currently slated for $2,300 but requests $5,000 every year. The board would have to approve the increased funds for this group if it is to be changed. The library has seen an increase of approximately 1,000 people based on the 2020 census. By 2023, an increase of approximately 100 new members joined the library from Upper Milford. These numbers are expected to increase for the 2030 census which will continue to impact the library’s budget.

During the discussion of cultural donations, it was noted the Vera Cruz Active Life program disbanded which eliminated $600 in the budget. Supervisor Dan Mohr reminded the board the Vera Cruz community has never had to ask the township for money. An additional $866 was also noted as “uncommitted donations.”

Zgura asked Carter about the generator for the public works garage. Carter expects the generator to cost between $25,000-$30,000. An additional $5,000 could be needed for the pump/well issue. Carter said he will try to have a number for a future meeting.

O’Donald said there is drinking water in the public works building regardless of the water pump. Zgura said he wants “better amenities” in the building for those workers who endure the lengthy storms sleeping on cots during breaks on their runs for multiple days. “It would be nice for them to have water to wash up,” Zgura said. He also said $1,400 was found in the cultural donations that could be used for this if needed.

A resident questioned the 3 phase and the well pump. Carter clarified the public works shop building is single phase but the well that services the shop is 3 phase and located in a separate building. Mohr explained “we want to go from 3 phase to 1 phase to support the new generator.” This same resident also inquired about the discrepancy of highway dollars between last year’s budget and the projected budget. He asked about establishing a reserve fund rather than dealing with the fluctuations.

Carter explained the discrepancies are due to the number of projects the township accepts. Numerous projects could result in higher numbers while fewer projects result in lower numbers.

O’Donald noted the township has a reserve fund of approximately $410,968. This appeared to satisfy the resident as he was worried taxes could dramatically increase if the budget was underfunded for these projects. O’Donald explained there will be an approximate $5 a month increase for the average taxpayer resulting in an approximate increase of $69 for the year for the average taxpayer. This increase from $104 to $174 per average taxpayer could result in an approximate difference of $253,854 between last year’s budget and the budget for 2025.

A resident in the audience pointed out the fire services budget doubled and “when this goes out to the public, there will be people upset about this.” Zgura understood and said, “I wish those people were here.”

The 2025 budget proposal has been provided to the public on the township website since Oct. 9. Hard copies were provided at the Oct. 17 meeting and at this special meeting held for residents to come and discuss the budget openly. The resident commended the board members for their work preparing this “reasonable” budget. He acknowledged this is a difficult job and he appreciated their work.

Resident Cole Ashbrook inquired about the issue of fire truck radios. Zgura said the board has not made a decision on this and most likely this issue will involve Lehigh County. A fire company representative shared they are currently in the pricing stage of the radios. There is no timeline established for the purchasing of the radios at this time. Zgura said “a decision will be made about the radios when the time comes, but that time is not now.”

The last issue for discussion involved Carter and the purchase of the new dump truck. Carter would like to be able to give the Mack Truck sales representative a verbal agreement the township will purchase the new truck so a slot can be acquired for the truck to be made. The issue of the transmission has not yet been determined whether it will be manual or automatic.

Zgura feels automatic permits the driver of the vehicle to focus more on the roads than a manual transmission would. Carter wants to get a slot for the truck to be built because Mack Trucks anticipates a price increase in June. The earlier the truck can be ordered, the more likely it remains within the budget. Failure to secure a slot could result in a longer wait time in addition to an increase in cost.

The board provided a verbal agreement to Mack Trucks to build the truck. It was noted that if something were to occur that the truck would not be purchased there would be no penalty for the township. O’Donald reminded the board eventually a motion will need to be made at the Dec. 5 meeting for approval of the truck.

The next township meeting is scheduled 7 p.m. Nov. 7 in the township building.