Bethlehem Township’s manager, Doug Bruce, unveiled a proposed budget $19 million budget for next year at commissioners’ Oct. 21 meeting. The good news? His spending plan seeks no tax hike. The bad news? The township is deficit spending. To balance the books, the township will spend $1.77 million of its rainy day fund. Bruce projects there still will be a $2.97 million fund balance at the end of next year, but warns this structural imbalance will ultimately result in a tax hike.

There will be a three percent sewage treatment rate increase next year. This is because Bethlehem City increased its sewage treatment rate to 8.4 percent.

Employee wages and benefits account for 60 percent of the budget. Bruce explained that the township has decreased its full-time workforce from 93 to 85 over the past decade.

As a result of contractual obligations, Teamster and police union workers are slated for a 3.5 percent raise next year. Employees who bargain through AFSCME will get a 3 percent hike. Bruce proposes 3.5 percent for the township’s non-union workforce.

If approved, the millage rate will remain at 7.74 mills. This means a home assessed at $50,000 will see an annual tax bill of $387.

The first budget hearing, open to the public, was held Oct. 24, and the second on Oct. 29. The third and final meeting is scheduled for 9-11 a.m. Nov. 2.

The first public reading of next year’s budget will take place on Nov. 18, after which the budget will be advertised and made available for public inspection. A final vote is scheduled Dec. 16.

Commissioners Malissa Davis and Janice Blake were absent.