SOUTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. – The South Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners approved the 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 millage from .47 to .75 for a combined 3.6 total. Township officials said the increase was in part to pay for apparatus needs through the year 2035.

The fire tax increase will generate $2.88 million in revenue, representing a 112% increase from 2025, while maintaining projected expenses near $1.14 million, which is a 1.6% decrease from this year.

A property assessed at $350,000 will pay an additional $98 annually with the fire tax rate increase. This results in an annual $1,259.91 property tax bill to South Whitehall. The same property would be responsible for $1,323 a year in Lehigh County property taxes and would owe the Parkland School District $6,265 annually for an $8,847.91 annual property tax bill.

The budget also contains a 4% sewage rate increase. The Lehigh County Authority is raising their rates 5.5% next year and the township opted to have residents pay most of it. This includes a quarterly sewer base charge increase from $36 to $38, an equivalent dwelling unit or EDU rate hike from $91 to $94.64, and metered rate increase from $4.98 to $5.17 per one thousand gallons.

LCA is also proposing a 4.55% water rate increase for ’26. The township opted to absorb this rate hike.

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 purchase 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, while 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 township is also liable for debt manifested in a general obligation bond instituted Nov. 23, 2021 for $10.35 million. This debt was utilized mostly for the township building’s renovation, sidewalk along the building and campus’ frontage, and the Wehr’s Dam rehabilitation through the end of 2041. The long-term debt will impact South Whitehall’s fiscal planning for several years. South Whitehall will make $1.1 million in debt payments next year.

A newly created Land Acquisition Fund will garner the township an additional $900,000, courtesy of a .1% earned income tax increase. This new fund was included in the 2026 budget after voter referendum general election approval Nov. 4.