The North Whitehall Township Board of Supervisors on April 13 revisited the proposed Earned Income Tax referendum after correcting an earlier error in projected revenue figures.

Township officials explained that while the cost to residents remains unchanged from last month’s discussion, updated calculations show significantly higher potential revenue because the school district would not receive a portion of the tax.

At the previously discussed 0.25% rate, revenue is now estimated at approximately $1.8 million, compared to earlier projections of about $900,000 to $1 million.

Board members discussed several possible tax rates, including 0.1%, 0.15%and 0.25%, weighing the need to fund farmland preservation and open space initiatives against uncertainty about long-term costs.

Officials noted that while current applications for preservation could total several million dollars, future needs remain difficult to predict.

A motion was made and approved to advertise a 0.15% EIT rate, which is projected to generate about $1.08 million annually.

The referendum will appear on the November ballot, allowing residents to make the final decision.

Township Manager Randy Cope reported the Stewart farm was recently preserved, adding 67 acres at the intersection of Scheidy’s Road and Clearview Road.

He noted the property is a highly visible and valuable addition to the township’s preserved land.

With this latest acquisition, the township’s total preserved farmland now stands at 797 acres.

Officials expressed optimism about nearing the 1,000-acre milestone, with hopes of marking the achievement with a future ribbon-cutting ceremony.