(Allentown, PA)-<\/strong> Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong today released his administration\u2019s Proposed 2019 Budget.<\/p>\n The proposed budget makes substantial investments in Lehigh County operations, including $68 million in financing for the addition of a new wing and the renovation of the Cedarbrook Senior Care and Rehabilitation Center, $2 million for farmland preservation, $9 Million in renovations to the Historic Courthouse, $4 Million for the 1964 Courthouse which includes needed HVAC replacement and $3.5 million in state-directed procurement of new voter equipment.<\/p>\n Lehigh County will add 39 new positions, a majority of which are the result of the 9-1-1 consolidation with Allentown.\u00a0 In total, 34 of those positions are 9-1-1 related, taking the county to a total of 2,003 employees.\u00a0 Lehigh County spends 66 cents of every tax dollar on law & order which makes this expansion a critical element of upholding public safety and supporting law enforcement.<\/p>\n The county\u2019s stabilization fund is projected at $19.6 million.\u00a0 The proposed budget has a $13.75 million contribution to the employee pension fund which is 87.9% funded.\u00a0\u00a0 Healthcare Costs are projected to be $29.6 Million with employees contributing $4.9 Million towards their coverage.<\/p>\n The $506.1 million-dollar budget features a return to the 2015 millage rate of 3.79.\u00a0 The average homeowner will pay $769.37 in real estate taxes based off of a median home assessed at $203,000.\u00a0 For frame of reference, a county resident with a home valued at $100,000 would see a $15 increase, while a $200,000 home would witness a $30 increase.\u00a0 Lehigh County\u2019s real estate taxes are below neighboring counties.<\/p>\n \u201cThis year\u2019s new millage rate is a reflection of my administration\u2019s commitment to strong, forward-thinking fiscal management that prioritizes the delivery of quality services and maintains the fiscal stability of the county through our five-year fiscal plan,\u201d said Armstrong.<\/p>\n Among the factors leading to the new 3.79 millage rate, was the county\u2019s decision to pay for capital expenses out of operating revenue as opposed to financing, the state-directed mandate to procure new voting equipment and reductions in revenue from holding fees at our jail.<\/p>\n \u201cLehigh County elected me to make the tough and responsible decisions.\u00a0 This is about more than just revenue and spending, it\u2019s a decision about taking steps now too maintain our current services, short vs. long-term planning, and making the right decision, not the political one,\u201d said Armstrong.<\/p>\n The Proposed 2019 Budget now goes before the Board of Commissioners for September hearings leading up to a final October vote on the budget.<\/p>\n The full, detailed Lehigh County Proposed Budget may be viewed on the County\u2019s website at: www.lehighcounty.org<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\nInformation provided to TVL by:
\nJoshua Siegel
\nPublic Information Officer
\nCounty of Lehigh, Office of the County Executive
\n17 S. 7th Street, 4th Floor, Suite 436
\nAllentown, PA 18101
\nwww.lehighcounty.org
\n <\/p>\n
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