The South Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners approved advertising the township’s proposed 2026 budget Wednesday night at the administration building.

The $21.9 million spending plan holds the township’s millage at 2.85 but increases the fire tax milage from .47 to .75. Township officials said the increase was in part to pay for apparatus needs through the year 2035.

The budget also contains sewage rate increases. This includes a quarterly increase from the current $36 to $38, an equivalent dwelling unit or EDU rate hike from $91 to $94.64, and metered from $4.98 to $5.17 per one thousand gallons.

The township’s water fund shows nearly $12.6 million in expenses with $10.8 million in revenues with $1.8 million in 2025 surplus funds being carried forward. The township’s fire fund shows $2.9 million in revenue and 1.1 million in expenses with a nearly $2 million fire truck purchass also budgeted. A total of $985,000 in a cash transfer from the apparatus fund is also allocated in the fire fund.

South Whitehall’s sewer fund shows revenues and expenses at $4.6 million, while the refuse fund has $5.1 million in revenue with $4.8 million in expenses. The township’s state highway aid fund is balanced at $706,550.64, whith the open space fund has nearly $50,000 in revenue with no expenses. The capital fund is balanced also at $4.6 million.

The proposed budget also includes $96,475 in 2025 grant revenue and $2.2 million in 2026 grant revenue. There is also a ledger for a $1.5 million interfund transfer from the general fund and about $790,000 as the forecasted amount of 2025 surplus cash carried forward of the capital fund.

The entire budget is available for public inspection at the township building and on their website.

Major Subdivision

Commissioners granted preliminary/final approval to a major subdivision.

The proposal involves the development of an existing Ollie’s Building, located at 4750 W. Tilghman St. The project involves a 12,400-square-foot addition on the building’s east side for a 7,600-square-foot Advanced Auto Parts and 4,800-square-feet for a future tenant.

A second phase designated for future development includes an outdoor storage area to the existing building’s west.