In a party-line 6-3 vote Nov. 14, Lehigh County Board of Commissioners overturned county Executive Phillips Armstrong’s Oct. 31 veto of the proposed 2019 budget.

Democrats Dan Hartzell, Amy Zanelli and Geoff Brace voted against the amendment, which would have reduced the tax rate for county residents.

The Nov. 14 action effectively put to rest the disagreement about what the millage rate will be next year. Commissioners approved a 3.64-millage rate marked down from 3.79 mills Armstrong wanted.

The hearing room was almost completely full, with close to 40 residents and others attending the meeting. Residents were mostly in support of defeating the administration’s proposed tax increase. Allentown resident Timothy Ramos’ remarks resonated with the majority of the crowd.

“I purchased my home three years ago,” said Ramos, who described himself as a blue-collar truck driver. “At what point does my property become mine?”

He described an encounter with an 80-year-old man from Allentown who said he had to work to pay his tax bills.

Joe Hilliard attacked the administration’s budget for using what he called “fear tactics” in suggesting the lower millage rate might lead to a downgrading of the county’s credit rating. He also attacked the administration’s choice of public finance adviser.

“I wouldn’t trust them to advise my neighbor on an automobile transaction,” Hilliard said.

Others suggested commissioners were shortsighted and setting residents up for even higher taxes in the future.

Dr. J. Allen, of Upper Milford Township, said the commissioners’ budget was “disingenuous.”

“There is no downside to going with the county executive’s budget,” he said.

Also supporting Armstrong’s budget was Upper Milford Township Supervisor Joyce Moore, who is a financial manager.

“It breaks my heart to think people can be so shortsighted,” she said.