EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. — The talk of every neighborhood in East Stroudsburg isn't about the weather or the upcoming holidays, it's about another tax hike.
The borough recently announced its proposed 2025 budget, which includes a 29% tax increase.
"That is a big increase for one year; last year, my bill went up from $2,100 to $2,600," said Jim Kelte of East Stroudsburg.
"Wow, that is a lot, that's disgusting," said long time borough resident George Kizer.
Kelly Lewis is the borough manager, he tells Newswatch 16 several factors played into the decision to raise taxes.
We're coming off of the COVID monies and the global inflation and global impacts that we're catching up on in this budget year. But it does come down to 29% in our millage," explained Lewis.
East Stroudsburg borough has a population of roughly 10,000 people. Lewis says the average single-family home will see an increase of $180 for the year.
"One of the tough things about east Stroudsburg and lots of municipalities have this, we have a lot of non-taxable properties with the hospital, the university and medical buildings," said Lewis.
People who live in the borough tell Newswatch 16 last year's tax increase of 15% hit their wallets hard, so this increase will hit even harder.
"I mean, we own our home outright we thought "Oh, now we own it, no more mortgage" but now taxes are going up so it is like another mortgage," explained Kizer.
"More money to go to taxes, less money to save or go to fun things," said Kelte.
Taxes aren't the only cost potentially going up. The borough already approved raising water prices by 29% and trash fees by 9%.
East Stroudsburg officials will hold a public hearing on the proposed budget on December 17th at 7:15 p.m. during the regular council meeting.