- A new map shows residents how much taxes would climb if council approves the mayor’s proposed 2% increase
- Council rejected his proposals for increases of 6.9% and 4.5%
- Members could vote Wednesday night to override the mayor’s budget veto or reopen negotiations
ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Mayor Matt Tuerk’s office launched a new online tool Tuesday that shows residents how much their taxes would go up under his latest budget proposal.
Residents can use the map to look up their addresses and their new tax rates if Tuerk can convince enough Allentown City Council members to support a 2% increase.
Council on Nov. 4 passed a balanced 2024 budget without a tax increase after slashing millions in spending from the mayor’s initial proposal.
Tuerk vetoed that budget several days later.
Council on Wednesday could consider the mayor's proposed 2% tax increase after rejecting his requests for increases of 6.9% and 4.5%.
Tuerk has said the 2% increase would fund raises within the city’s police department and emergency medical services, a critical step to retain those workers.
It would also pay for a sustainability coordinator in the city’s Parks and Recreation Department and a manager for the city’s new office for diversity, equity and inclusion.
“Allentown is committed to fiscal responsibility while delivering essential services like park maintenance, traffic and public safety, and street cleanliness,” city communications manager Genesis Ortega said. “We aim to maintain a safe, clean, and healthy city.”
But at least two members will look to override Tuerk's veto, which would lock in the council's tax-raise-free budget as the city's spending plan for 2024.
An override vote would require support from at least five of seven council members to be successful.
If the veto-override measure fails, that would keep Tuerk’s veto in place, leaving the city without a budget for next year.
How to use the map
Tuerk’s office published the new interactive tax-increase map Tuesday on the city’s website to “foster transparency and provide residents with a clear understanding of the proposed 2% tax increase,” Ortega said.
Residents can enter their address into the search bar, which will direct the map to their property.
Clicking inside the borders of a property will prompt a box to pop up showing the property’s current tax burden and its bill after the proposed 2% increase.
The map shows information for all taxable properties in the city, including some of the largest developments.
Taxes at the 11-story Two City Center complex would jump by more than $4,100, while the PPL Center’s tax bill would climb $2,767 next year if council accepts Tuerk’s latest proposal. Many single-family homeowners would see their taxes increase by less than $30, according to the map.
