Whitehall Township residents will see a tax increase with 2026’s fiscal budget, which passed at the Dec. 8 meeting, despite residents expressing opposition to the spending plan.

The board voted 6-1 to approve the real estate tax rate. Property owners will see a tax increase from 3.80 mills to 4.70 mills, an increase of 0.90 mills, equivalent to 24%.

Whitehall Township Commissioner Elizabeth Fox was the only opposing vote against the tax increase.

According to Mayor Joseph R. Marx Jr., the tax increase was planned and needed for several reasons.

“I know people are struggling, and I get it,” he said. “However, you can only kick the can down the road for so long. Our costs have gone up.”

Marx noted a property assessed at around $250,000 in value will pay $225 a year more in property taxes.

He said the township has lost more than $56 million in assessed value since 2013.

According to Marx, one major indicator for the tax increase was the rising costs for the township. He said health care costs this year have increased 11.9%, which will cost the township $233,000. Pension obligations increased by $150,000. Dental insurance has risen by 5% overall.

He said commissioners held off on the increase last year due to the hike in the garbage fee, which doubled from $335 to $615, after the previous contract expired and the township switched to J.P. Mascaro and Sons as its hauler.

“Whitehall Township, historically, has rarely raised taxes,“ Marx said.

According to Marx, the proposed tax hike for next year is the first increase since 2019, adding the last one before that was in 2013.

“Considering what the mayor has said, it is very reasonable, considering the circumstances,” Commissioner Ken Snyder said.

Marx argued a 0.90-mill raise is equivalent to a 4% school tax increase, which he said happened this year. He noted the school’s millage rate is higher than the township’s.

According to the capital improvement plan, the fire department will see replacements for two projects within the next four years. Marx said they are hoping to secure a rescue pumper firetruck next year, adding they also had to put it off last year due to the garbage fee increase.

He reported they purchased a fire pumper for $650,000 in 2017, which equates $1.2-$1.4 million today.

A milling and paving machine are also included in next year’s budget. The township has a capital improvement and equipment plan set until 2030.

Marx said they cut $1.5 million out of the budget before this final budget was presented to the board.

“I want to get us on a firm financial footing, and this will put us there,” Marx said about the increase.

This increase was met with concerns from the public. Several residents asked why the increase was 24% and why it couldn’t have increased incrementally over the years. Several comments were also raised about how this would affect families on a fixed-income basis, especially seniors in the township.

Marx said this tax increase will allow the township to focus on future needs.

“I wish it wasn’t a tax raise, but the longer you let things go, the more it’s going to cost in the end,” Marx said.

Commissioners Alberta Scarfaro and Phil Ginder were recognized at the meeting, as it was their final meeting as commissioners. Their terms will expire at the end of this month.

Scarfaro has served the township for 14 years on the township zoning hearing board and the last two years as a commissioner. She discussed her private and challenging battle with stage 3 breast cancer and noted it has been very hard for her to attend meetings due to surgeries and treatment this year.

“Despite the treatment and uncertainty, I made every effort to be present at our meetings. I want the residents of Whitehall to know that I gave it my all this year,” Scarfaro said.

“I want to thank the residents of Whitehall for allowing me the honor and privilege of serving our community,” Ginder said.

The board remembered Frank Clark, a longtime township engineer who served for 38 years in Whitehall Township, who died Dec. 8. Board President Thomas Slonaker led a moment of silence for Clark. The board expressed their condolences to his family and friends, and each board member and Marx took the time to remember Clark for his dedicated service and time to Whitehall Township.

“Frank always had the best of intentions for Whitehall Township,” Ginder said.

“Frank was an honest man,” Snyder added. “He had integrity and always put Whitehall first.”