Individuals aren’t the only ones receiving stimulus checks. Pennsylvania municipalities are also receiving a piece of the relief bill pie.
The $1.9 Trillion stimulus package will provide West Easton with some welcome funds, as our borough will receive $120,000.
The relief bill spells out three intended categories on which towns and cities might spend the money they’re receiving: responding to the COVID-19 emergency; providing premium pay to essential employees or grants to their employers; and funding government services affected by loss of revenue during the pandemic.
During my last Council President’s Report on March 8th, I made note of a decline in revenue in 2020. Much of it was due to the county not using the Work Release Facility following the beginning of the pandemic. There was also $13,000 lost in property tax revenue, which our tax collector has sent to the county for collection.
It is expected that Northampton County will not be using the Work Release Facility moving forward, even after the pandemic is eventually declared ended, as it seems they have found an alternative.
Obviously, the loss of $50,000 in revenue from the Work Release Facility each year can be claimed as a direct result of the pandemic.
Any remaining money from our stimulus award will be directed toward paying for governmental services.
Whether you agree or disagree with the passage of the latest stimulus package, it is still a welcome windfall for West Easton residents who have enjoyed one of the lowest local tax rates since 2016.
Even the lying jailbird constable who tried to frame an innocent black man will receive a stimulus check. Maybe she’ll use a little of it to pay her bills, or buy a personalized shopping cart for herself.
Disclaimer: On January 4, 2016, the owner of WestEastonPA.com began serving on the West Easton Council following an election. Postings and all content found on this website are the opinions of Matthew A. Dees and may not necessarily represent the opinion of the governing body for The Borough of West Easton.
