The Upper Macungie Township Board of Supervisors officially welcomed Officer Bryan Kunz to the township police department during its Nov. 6 meeting, which featured three presentations.

Kunz, a 2010 graduate of Westfield High School in Virginia, earned a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice from Radford University in 2014 and later completed his Act 120 police certification. He served 10 years with the Fairfax County Police Department in Virginia, where he was a field training instructor and mentor to new recruits, before relocating to Pennsylvania.

Following a brief tenure with Cedar Crest College, Kunz joined the Upper Macungie Township Police Department and took his oath of office Sept. 8, before Magisterial District Judge Michael J. Faulkner.

During the ceremony, Kunz was joined by his wife, Jessa, daughter, Ava and son, Rowan, who helped pin his badge – a long-standing department tradition recognizing the vital role families play in supporting law enforcement officers. Township officials commended Kunz for his professionalism and welcomed him to the community.

“You’ll come across many great people in the township and see the strong support system we have here – from our board and manager to fire services, public works and parks and recreation,” Police Chief Michael J. Sitoski said. “It’s something to be very proud of.”

The presentation concluded with applause and photographs as the township’s newest officer officially joined the department.

The board next heard a presentation from Finance Manager Michelle Souls on the proposed 2026 township budget, which includes no increases in real estate tax, sewer or refuse and recycling fees. The real estate tax rate will remain at 0.64 mills, the annual refuse and recycling fee at $375 and the annual senior refuse millage at $356.

In comparison with Lehigh County and the Parkland School District, Upper Macungie continues to have the lowest combined real estate tax rate of any municipality in the county. The proposed 2026 budget projects $77 million in total revenue and $70 million in expenditures, maintaining a modest surplus while expanding township services.

Major budget components include $8 million for police operations, $2.7 million for community development and just under $1 million for recreation. The township also plans to fund fire operations with $1.3 million in expenditures and a $1.8 million general fund transfer, cover debt service for new police and fire stations and complete construction of the new Community Lifestyle Center.

Supervisors emphasized that despite rising costs and new bond payments, the township will maintain all services, expand staffing – particularly in fire – and continue operating from a fiscally conservative position. The proposed budget will be advertised for public review and is expected to be voted on at the board’s Dec. 4 meeting.

The third presentation was a proclamation for Small Business Saturday. Township Secretary Jazmin Vazquez presented a proclamation recognizing Small Business Saturday, which will be observed Nov. 29. The proclamation celebrates local small businesses and their contributions to the community and economy.

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, there are 34.7 million small businesses nationwide, representing 99.7% of firms with paid employees and accounting for nearly 62% of new jobs created since 1995. Small businesses employ nearly 46% of the U.S. private-sector workforce. The proclamation also noted 68 cents of every dollar spent at a small business stays in the local community and generates an additional 48 cents through local purchases and services.

The board of supervisors formally proclaimed Nov. 29 as Small Business Saturday in Upper Macungie Township and encouraged residents to shop and dine locally – not only that weekend but throughout the year.

Board Chairman Jeff Fleishaker added with a smile that after residents “spend all their money on the Friday after Thanksgiving, they can come spend some more here at home.”