Voters in Whitehall and Heidelberg townships have approved ballot measures that could lead to higher taxes to fund open space preservation. Whitehall Township’s referendum, the first of its kind in the municipality, would impose a 0.05-mill real estate tax for preserving farmland and maintaining recreational and open space areas. The current general property tax rate in Whitehall is 3.80 mills. With a majority of precincts reporting, over 1,800 voters supported the tax, while around 1,500 opposed it. The tax would be indefinite but could be overturned in a future referendum. Meanwhile, Heidelberg Township’s proposal seeks to increase the earned income tax rate by 0.175% annually for a decade. The funds would be used for acquiring and preserving open space, agricultural and forest easements, and covering related expenses. The tax, if approved, would take effect on January 1, 2025. Unofficial results indicate that 94 voters cast ballots in favor of the measure, while 81 voted against it. If implemented, the open space taxes in Whitehall and Heidelberg would align with similar taxes already in place in Lower Macungie, North Whitehall, Upper Milford, and Upper Saucon townships.
Whitehall and Heidelberg Townships Vote to Consider Property and Income Tax Increases for Open Space
