EASTON, Pa. — Easton City Council on Wednesday hit the brakes on a proposed senior tax rebate funded police vehicle fuel savings.
The decision to table the bill appeared to be rooted in fellow council members' desire for more information and possible revisions for the program, as cited by Councilman Frank Pintabone and Mayor Sal Panto Jr.
Bill No. 25, originally introduced by Councilman Roger Ruggles in October, would have pooled fuel savings stemming from Easton Police Department switching to hybrid vehicles, and LET senior citizens to apply for a property tax rebate from that fund.
"We're basing it on what we hope to have. And I'm just wondering if we should slow it down, get the five-year projection, wait till we get the electric vehicles and see where we're at.”Easton City Councilman Frank Pintabone
The program would have been open for seniors to apply in 2026 to cover 2025 taxes, with Ruggles estimating there would be $6,000 in the funding pool.
The matter was tabled at last month’s meeting because solicitor Joel Scheer pointing out that language in the ordinance would need to be refined a bit before it was passed.
However, when introduced as unfinished business during the Nov. 13 meeting, council opted to put a pause on the bill.
“I love the idea, Councilman Ruggles, I spoke to you about it," Pintabone said during the public comment period after the bill was introduced.
"I think it's great thinking, and I will support something like this. I just want to you know, we're basing it on money that hasn't yet come in. We haven't gotten the cars yet.
"We're basing it on what we hope to have. And I'm just wondering if we should slow it down, get the five-year projection, wait till we get the electric vehicles and see where we're at.”
Reasons for delay
Pintabone had referenced the Strategic Management Planning Program, or STMP, an initiative of the state Department of Community and Economic Development.
STMP aims to “assist municipalities experiencing fiscal difficulties to develop comprehensive multiyear financial plans and establish short- and long-term financial objectives.”
Half the study would be funded by a grant coming from STMP, and the city also could be eligible for matching funds to implement certain policies.
Pintabone said it would be worth the wait to see the outcome of Easton’s finances, financial strategies, investments and other matters before committing to Bill No. 25.
“It’s a savings of gasoline. I’d rather budget to know what it is, how much it is,”Sal Panto Jr.
Ruggles responded to Pintabone by stating he saw no reason to stall the bill, as it would not be implemented until December 2025. He noted police already acquired two hybrids.
"I mean, the study that is going to be done, this does not impact next year's budget at all," Ruggles said.
Councilman Ken Brown agreed with Pintabone, stating, “let's take a look at the five-year plan and incorporate that in there to really give us an idea of where we’re going to be at.”
Panto referred to the bill as “nebulous,” and said he would prefer to see seniors get some savings via the elimination of the per capita tax, when that is possible.
“It’s a savings of gasoline," Panto said. "I’d rather budget to know what it is, how much it is."
Councilwoman Crystal Rose concurred with tabling the bill, stating, “I also like the idea of a tax rebate for seniors, but I’d like to see the data on the five-year outlook, personally.”
When the matter went to vote for tabling the bill, Ruggles emphatically stated “No! Is that strong enough?”
While the matter could still reappear on a future agenda — before or after the city’s financial study via STMP is completed — it remains to be seen if council will consider it without additional information, even if they support the concept.
