EMMAUS, Pa. — Leticia Garcia recently had a heating and air conditioning technician at her home to fix her furnace. He told her she would pay a lot more money.
The news made her hot under the collar — not for the furnace repair, but for the significant increase Borough Council has proposed on her taxes next year.
At a council meeting Monday, Garcia was among 50 residents in person and more than 50 others online who voiced opinions against a 26% tax increase for 2025.
“I think we need more transparency. I think if there were, a lot more people would be here. But there’s not, which is probably better for you.”Emmaus resident Leticia Garcia
After 3 ½ hours of discussion and public comment, much of it dripping with frustration and anger from residents, the tax hike was approved by a 6-1 vote, with Councilman Roy Anders the dissenting vote.
That means a property currently assessed for tax purposes at $100,000 would incur an annual tax increase of $213, to $1,044.55.
“I had no idea" about the tax hike,” Garcia told council. “I think we need more transparency. I think if there were, a lot more people would be here. But there’s not, which is probably better for you.”
Among the reasons for the tax hike, council members explained with a slide presentation, are cost increases in several areas, including health care rates, workers’ compensation, electricity, natural gas and refuse collection, net pension funds and fire tax.
Large cuts to come
Also, overall revenue in the borough declined more than $1 million. Construction is down, meaning permits are expected to decrease more than $30,000.
The borough also will spend $13 million to remove per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, from its drinking water, with the hope that 50% of the cost will be defrayed by grants.
In November 2021, the borough announced that the levels of PFAS in its water system exceeded the EPA's Lifetime Health Advisory Level.
The borough's water supply wells were found to contain PFOS and PFOA, which are part of the PFAS group.
PFAS are synthetic chemicals that have been linked to health issues, including decreased fertility and an increased risk of certain cancers.
The property tax rate of 10.4455 mills will be distributed among four funds:
- General fund: 8.1204 mills
- Fire fund: 1.8461 mills
- Special roads fund: 0.32 of a mill
- Street light fund: 0.159 of a mill
Borough Manager Shane Pepe said a large number of cuts will follow from the 25.6% increase, including:
- Elimination of three current full-time employees: the assistant borough manager position, the parks director position and a full-time ambulance position.
- Elimination of three other full-time positions: a police officer hiring, replacing a retiring public works employee and eliminating a management position in the fire/ambulance department.
- Elimination of a second ambulance during the day Monday through Friday.
'I can't afford that'
Former Councilman Christopher DeFrain said the current model of taxing in the borough is unsustainable.
“I suggest you have to have difficult conversations about this budget and in the long term,” he said before the vote. “This increase is here. Hopefully, it’s not 26 percent. It will affect the quality of life in this borough.
"I love living here. But this is a reminder our current path is unsustainable. Avoiding the discussions now will only make them more difficult in the future.”
"We think you're out of control with our money."Tim Riccobon, Emmaus resident
Resident Tim Riccobon told council he cannot afford the tax increase.
“I work 70 hours a week,” he said. “I can’t afford that.
“A lot of boroughs around us have volunteer fire departments. I don’t understand why we have a paid fire department. We have a small borough, but have two chiefs. Why? I’m not against them. I’m against the financial resources.
“Let’s put the brakes on spending. It has to stop. You can’t expect the taxpayers to keep spending more money and more money. We think you’re out of control with our money.”
Borough solicitor Jason A. Ulrich said the increases are needed for funds the borough must cover.
“And some of these increases are out of the borough’s control,” he said.
'Committing political suicide'
Councilman Nathan Brown concurred with DeFrain.
“We can pass this tonight,” Brown told the residents. “But starting in January, my goal is to get together with other, smarter council members to see what the numbers look like for the next three years.
'We need a philosophical plan. We need to fix our mistakes and look to next year.”
Brown asked residents if they would be OK contracting out the ambulance service or cutting the police force by two to save money.
Resident Chelsea Kehs took issue with the proposed tax increase and a proposed 21% salary increase for borough manager Pepe, who is currently paid $146,000 a year.
“Our water sucks,” she said. “We can’t drink the water. Our roads suck. His increase is unacceptable.”
A few residents warned council that passing the tax increase may come at a price.
“I’m of the mind that if this goes through, I don’t think any one of you will keep your seat,” one said.
Said another: “I think you need to find other ways to raise money instead of [increasing taxes by] 26 percent. Look at all these people here. We are really upset.
"Otherwise, I think you are all committing political suicide.”
