Lower Macungie adopts 2026 budget; property tax rate unchanged

Lower Macungie Township’s Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt Ordinance 2025-05, approving the township’s advertised 2026 budget and keeping the property tax rate at its current level.

Township manager Mr. Bidle told the board the budget was prepared through multiple workshops and had been on public view for more than 20 days before adoption. He reviewed major fund lines presented in the packet and emphasized that no new property tax was proposed for 2026.

The budget presentation listed allocations across multiple funds, including the sewer fund ($5,568,700), debt service ($2,927,416), capital ($3,358,922), open space ($2,630,544), open space maintenance ($285,000) and the state liquid fuels fund ($1,125,000). The general fund total in the transcript was not clearly legible in the packet excerpts provided at the meeting and is therefore not specified here. The board also approved related administrative items on the consent agenda tied to the budget.

In conjunction with the budget vote the board approved Resolution 2025-60 adopting the township fee schedule for 2026; finance staff noted a 5% increase in the garbage fee required by the hauler and a number of permitting and recreation-fee adjustments. The board also set the homestead exemption for 2026 in Resolution 2025-61, with staff citing a 50% exclusion and presenting an associated figure of $120,125 as part of the homestead calculation as presented at the meeting.

The ordinance was moved, seconded and adopted by roll call. Clerk Mrs. Flexer recorded affirmative votes from Commissioner Bitler, Commissioner Higgins, Commissioner Robert, Commissioner Shoemaker and Commissioner Ward.

What happens next: The budget and the associated fee and exemption settings take effect for the 2026 fiscal year as adopted. Any administrative implementation will be handled by township staff under the manager’s direction.