2025 Budget Message
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More budgets from Bethlehem
- Budget
The Township of Bethlehem 2026 Budget Assumptions document, dated December 15, 2025, outlines wage increases, staffing changes, and fee proposals for the upcoming fiscal year. Wage increases include AFSCME at 3.00%, Police at 4.00%, Teamsters at 3.25%, non-bargaining employees at 4.00%, and medical insurance at 20.00%, with all relevant collective bargaining agreements expiring on December 31, 2026. The Police Department has two open officer positions and Public Works has two open truck driver positions budgeted for 2026. The township proposes no increase to the property tax millage rate (8.04 mills) or sewer billing rates, but proposes a 10% stormwater fee increase. The 2026 tax millage rate of 8.04 mills represents 9.80% of the total property tax burden, with County of Northampton at 10.80 mills and Bethlehem Area School District at 63.17 mills. The budget adoption was scheduled for December 15, 2025, preceded by public hearings beginning October 23, 2025.
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- Budget
The Township of Bethlehem 2025 budget assumptions document, dated October 18, 2024, outlines wage increases, staffing changes, and revenue assumptions for the upcoming fiscal year. Wage and fringe benefit increases include 3.0% for AFSCME and Teamsters employees (CBAs expiring 12/31/26), 3.5% for police and non-bargaining staff, 5.9% for library staff, 17.7% for medical insurance, and 55.57% for pension mandatory minimum obligations. The township is hiring two police officers and two truck drivers in 2025. The budget proposes no increases to the millage rate, sewer billing rate, or stormwater fees, with stormwater in year 4 of a 4-year model with a proposed rate lock. Current debt service from Series 2021 bonds matures in Spring 2027, with no new debt service proposed for 2025. Budget hearings are scheduled for October 24, October 29, and November 7, with first public reading on November 18 and final adoption on December 16.
AI summary
The Township of Bethlehem 2025 budget draft, dated October 18, 2024, projects General Fund revenues of $16,882,000 in taxes, with earned income tax budgeted at $6,145,000, real estate tax at $7,230,000, and mercantile/business privilege tax at $1,350,000. Licenses and permits are projected to generate $628,500, including building permits at $150,000 and cable franchise fees at $345,000. The budget document encompasses six funds: General Fund, Sewer Fund, Liquid Fuels Fund, Capital Reserve Fund, Fire Tax Fund, and Stormwater Fund, with detailed expenditure breakdowns across 67 pages.
AI summary
The Township of Bethlehem's 2025 Adopted Budget documents all fund allocations as of December 16, 2024, across six fund categories: General Fund, Sewer Fund, Liquid Fuels Fund, Capital Reserve Fund, Fire Tax Fund, and Stormwater Fund. General Fund tax revenue totals $16,882,000, comprised of earned income tax ($6,145,000), real estate tax current year ($7,230,000), mercantile/business privilege tax ($1,350,000), local service tax ($745,000), and real estate transfer tax ($1,275,000). Licenses and permits revenue is projected at $628,500, representing a decline from $712,500 in 2024, with building permits decreasing from $200,000 to $150,000 and cable franchise fees declining from $375,000 to $345,000. The budget document spans 69 pages and provides detailed expenditure breakdowns for each fund section including minor equipment, stormwater allocations, and capital reserve allocations.
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