NAZARETH, Pa. – The Nazareth Area School District Board of Directors approved a final 2026-27 general budget resolution featuring a tax increase on property owners Tuesday night.
The $121 million spending plan includes a 4.1% tax hike which raises taxes to the Act 1 Index maximum. This translates to a 2.46 mill increase on property owners. The $121 million budget is a 3.22% spending increase from the 2025-26 budget.
On the evening’s agenda, the board had the option to increase taxes by 4% but opted for the higher rate.
The budget includes a 1% tax real estate tax with a district share of .5%, a .7% district share of earned income, and a school tax levied and assessed at 62.40 mills on the dollar rate.
The tax increase, in part, was the result of contractual obligations, according to board member Greg Leh.
In explaining why she voted for the tax increase, President Linda Stubits acknowledged any tax increase, particularly in the current economic environment, was not popular.
“I don’t want to see my taxes increase,” Stubits said.
However, the additional money means the district would not be carrying forward a deficit.
Board member Christine Stofko said “it’s not easy” to vote for a tax increase, but considering how it would benefit NASD the hike was worth it.
The district’s 2025-26 budget featured a 2.95% tax increase on property owners.