NEW BETHLEHEM – Although millage rates and property assessments are changing in 2026, New Bethlehem Borough Council members announced Tuesday that overall property taxes will not be going up in the new year.
That said, because of the county’s complete property reassessment, New Bethlehem officials noted that the borough’s new millage rates were slightly rounded up to make the accounting a little easier.
Four council members — Don Heeter, Will Rupert, Blane Gold and Bryan Ruth — were in attendance at the Nov. 18 meeting and unanimously approved the 2026 budget, setting the new general tax rate at 3.29 mills, along with 0.36 mills for street lights, 0.17 mills for fire protection and 0.07 mills for emergency services. The total millage was set at 3.89 mills.
Although the budget doesn’t include a property tax hike, officials noted that it will likely include a $2 per quarter increase for garbage collection. Members said they are waiting to hear if the borough’s landfill expenses will be going up before making the increase official.
Overall, the borough’s general fund budget anticipates $471,860 in revenues, with the bulk of that ($405,180) coming from tax collections.
Expenses in the new year are predicted to total $470,989, leaving the borough an $871 cushion.
The general fund budget shows the following expenses: $154,784 for public works streets, $140,724 for public safety, $59,400 for financial administration, $55,656 for payroll taxes and benefits, $15,900 for street maintenance, $14,796 for tax collection, $8,616 for municipal buildings, $5,489 for parks and recreation, $2,004 for community support and $1,620 for zoning board expenses.
Additionally, the borough’s liquid fuels budget shows income of $37,116 in 2026, offset by the same amount of expenses.
The borough’s street light fund predicts $27,012 in income and $24,804 in expenses.
With the proposed budget now on display at the borough office, the council is expected to officially approved the spending plan at its Dec. 16 meeting.
In other business at Tuesday’s brief meeting, the council questioned borough engingeer Tom Thompson about yet another delay in the bidding of the contract for the replacement of the Penn Street bridge over Leasure Run.
Thompson, who had said last month that bids would be opened at the borough’s November meeting, told the council that due to questions from contractors, the opening was again delayed, and that he hoped to have the bids for the council’s December meeting.
“So, we have no idea when in the hell that bridge will go in?” Ruth questioned Thompson.
“It’s ben quite delayed,” mayor Gordon Barrows added.
The engineer said that the plan remains to begin work on the bridge replacement this coming spring.
Other Business
• The council approved new articles of agreement with the Southern Clarion County Regional Police Department, extending the borough’s contract with the police force for five years.
• Members approved contracting with Rupert Monuments to clean the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in the New Bethlehem Cemetery for $250, plus $100 for additional maintenance work. Councilman Will Rupert abstained from the vote.