Once again South Whitehall has chosen The Sanctuary at Haafsville for assistance with animal control issues in 2015.

At the Dec. 17 commissioners' meeting, Sanctuary Director Liz Jones explained the township contract is based on the number of animals served.

"You pay as you go," said Jones.

Charges will be $110 for a dog picked up and $50 for each cat.

"We seek to provide humane, effective and economical services for your municipality and its residents," Jones said. "We do this with the intent to return as many animals as possible to their homes."

Until mid November of this year, the sanctuary picked up 33 cats and 10 dogs in South Whitehall at a cost of $2,750.

In other business, developer David Jaindl presented a request for zoning map changes on the Howells tract he had purchased at Blue Barn and Chapman roads.

Commissioners agreed to start the procedure through the rezoning project currently underway.

The board said nearby property owners would be notified of meetings and proposed changes in zoning classifications.

Commissioners granted final approval to the 2015 budget, which includes a 0.6-mill tax increase to help offset a $1.5 million deficit in the general fund.

This is the first township tax increase in 26 years.

The 0.6 mill will bring in $1.4 million toward the deficit, and some cash carryover from 2014 will help mitigate the shortfall to enable a balanced budget in the new year.

The meeting ended with a surprise visit form Santa Claus whose belt was decorated with "Save Wehr's Dam" stickers.

The cheerful visitor reported he received 6,383 letters from big boys and girls asking about saving Wehr's Dam.

He distributed chocolate treats before departing for his North Pole home.