Lehigh Township approves one‑mill tax increase to add officer and boost road spending

The Lehigh Township Board of Supervisors voted 3–2 on Nov. 11 to raise property taxes by one mill, add one full‑time police officer to the roster and direct the additional revenue toward road maintenance.

Manager Alice Rehrig presented three draft budgets: a zero‑increase option with reduced capital spending; a mid option that would add one officer with a projected 0.35‑mill increase assuming receipt of a federal COPS grant; and a larger plan to hire two officers with a 0.70‑mill increase. The board debated staffing, grant uncertainty and how to balance road projects against ongoing operating needs.

Supervisor Janet Sheats, who led the motion, framed the change as necessary to address chronic understaffing and rising call volume. “Increasing the staff is not an administrative preference, but a vital investment into the well‑being of our police force and providing the highest standard of public safety and responsive service that the residents deserve,” Sheats said. She noted the department is budgeted for 12 officers but is currently operating with nine and that overtime and workload pressures have persisted for more than a decade.

Supporters argued a one‑mill increase is a moderate step that will generate an estimated $280,000 in additional annual revenue and immediately help fund both personnel and road needs. Opponents warned that the board should have held a broader, public meeting before increasing the general real‑estate tax and said the township should first fill existing vacant positions before expanding the force. The final roll call among the five supervisors was: Sheats, Cindy Miller and Mike Jones in favor; Jerry Pritchard and David Hess opposed. The motion carried.

Board members also discussed the township’s reliance on grant funding — including an anticipated COPS grant — and the limits of those grants (typically partial, multi‑year salary support). Rehrig reminded the board that the budget must be adopted by Dec. 31 and that the draft must be advertised at least 20 days prior to adoption. The board agreed to proceed with the one‑mill option and to allocate the new revenue toward roads and the police position.

The vote represents the board’s immediate plan for 2026 budgeting; supervisors acknowledged that further adjustments could be needed depending on grant outcomes, state and federal budget actions affecting liquid fuels allocations, and year‑end figures.