N
orth Annville Township supervisors unanimously approved a 1‑mill fire service tax in the 2026 budget to fund a new $1.2 million engine, sharing the cost with the merged North Annville Fire Company (formerly Bellegrove and Union Water Works). The tax will add $188.40 to each homeowner’s bill on a median assessed value of $188,400, affecting 987 taxable properties. It expires Dec. 31 2028; renewal requires a majority vote, and it can be revoked by unanimous vote before that date.

    The resolution authorizes a special real‑property tax for purchasing, maintaining, housing, and contracting fire equipment, assessed equally on all benefitted properties. The levy is solely for the new engine; older apparatus—at least 25 years old—cannot be serviced due to obsolete parts. Residents opposed the tax, citing financial strain and the need to keep farm machinery and other equipment operational.

    North Annville is the last Lebanon County municipality with a millage rate; its budget relies mainly on earned‑income and real‑estate transfer taxes. The Fire Service Capital Fund will receive $225 k from the tax, plus an existing $220 k, to cover the engine purchase and a $228.5 k loan repayment. After projected receipts of $570.8 k and expenditures of $544 k, the township’s general fund is expected to balance $826 k by Dec. 31 2026, while the fire service fund will hold about $20 k.

    Other 2026 business included renewing a police contract with Cleona Borough, hiring a sewer engineer for a college grading project, approving a subdivision plan, granting earned‑income tax credits to 27 volunteer firefighters, addressing zoning violations, and renewing a Humane Society agreement. The next supervisor meeting is Monday, Jan. 5 at 6:30 p.m. in the Union Water Works Social Hall.