South Whitehall’s property tax for the 2018 general fund budget will remain at 2.49975 mills, the same as this year.

However, if approved by commissioners on Dec. 6, residents will be billed 0.47 mills for a newly created fire fund.

The tax amounts to $47 on each $100,000 of assessed property value.

These funds would be kept separate from the general fund and used only for fire related purposes to sustain the volunteer fire stations.

The fire fund tax is expected to bring in about $1.1 million in revenue in the new year.

Finance Director Brooke Neve commented on the general fund tax during a presentation at the Nov. 15 commissioners meeting.

“There is no planned tax increase for the real estate line item,” Neve said.

Expenses in this fund include but are not limited to salaries and benefits, utilities, legal and engineering fees, and pension costs.”

She added there will be no increase in garbage collection fees, the water rate, or the sewer rate.

Neve reported the township plans to borrow $2.4 million in 2018.

Of those funds, $1,116,000 will be used to pay off the water meter replacement project; $735,000 will repay the fiscal stability fund used to buy equipment this year; and the remaining $549,000 will go toward capital improvements in the water fund.

Neve noted the general fund is planning an unappropriated reserve of $400,000 in 2018.

She explained capital funds in 2018 will be directed toward Hamilton Boulevard corridor improvements, technology updates, police vehicles and equipment, public works projects, basketball courts at Covered Bridge Park, and playground equipment for Bungalow Park.

The water rate will continue at $5 per 1,000 gallons and the sewer rate at $3.99 per 1,000 gallons.

Trash pickup by J.P. Mascaro will remain at $280 per year.

The budget provides a $50,000 transfer from the general fund for engineering and permits in Phase I of the Wehr’s Dam improvement project.

The 2018 general fund budget total operating expense is listed at $14,684,588.

Commissioners will vote on the general fund budget at their Dec. 20 meeting.