The budget for 2025 was adopted by Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners at the Dec. 9, 2024, meeting. The tax rate will remain unchanged.

Commissioner Ken Snyder told those in attendance he believed township staff, Mayor Joseph R. Marx and Deputy Mayor Jack Meyers did “a heck of a job” creating this budget and “keeping our taxes in line.”

According to Marx, the tax rate will stay the same. The millage rate is currently 3.800 mills.

The tax rate for open space/farmland preservation will be 0.050 mills.

Before the vote, Commissioner Robert Piligian noted the adoption of the tax rate for farmland preservation was approved by referendum.

Meyers said Whitehall’s tax base, since reassessment in 2013, has gone down by more than $50 million, while South Whitehall Township’s has grown by more than $300 million. Whitehall’s tax base remains stagnant, even as costs continue to increase. Real estate taxes have been increased once in the last 10-plus years.

“Property values have decreased dramatically in the last couple of years,” Marx noted, compared to rates within the last 10 years.

Not all rates will stay the same this year, however. Garbage rates will nearly double for citizens in the township with the new contract with J.P. Mascaro and Sons. The rate will go from $335 to $615 with the new contract, which runs until the end of 2029.

Also included in the budget will be the addition of two additional police officers. Snyder said this will help the community so “the chief of police can find two more officers to increase traffic control and control crime.”

Meyers added some other important tasks in the budget for next year will include $1 million toward roadwork and $580,000 in storm sewer projects.

“Our administration did a miraculous job at keeping the line on taxes, “ Marx said. “Whitehall Township has only increased taxes once in the last 13 years, by 1 mill.”