Lehigh County Executive to Propose Tax Relief Plan for Active Duty Military in Speech Wednesday (4/18) to Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council

Cunningham to ask county residents for “shared sacrifice” to support troops’ efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan

ALLENTOWN:   Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham today outlined a plan to give property tax relief to all county military personnel serving to support United States efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Under the proposal, any member of the United States armed forces called to serve military operations for six months or more will receive a full rebate of the county property taxes on their home.

“Many of those serving to support our military efforts are reservists who have had to put their lives here on hold,” Cunningham said. “The families left behind struggle to keep everything in order while their loved ones are making a very dangerous sacrifice to serve their county.

“I believe that the people of Lehigh County can make a shared sacrifice for these service members and their families and cover the cost of the property taxes on their homes while they serve our country in a larger capacity.”

The proposal calls for a full rebate of property taxes paid on a service member’s home if they are in active duty for six months or more. The proposal is for a two-year period covering both 2007 and 2008. If a service member meets the required six months of service, and if the service time spans into both years, they would be eligible for a full rebate of both year’s taxes.

Lehigh County’s tax rate is 10.25 mills. The average Lehigh County property tax bill is $479.

The tax rebate would cover all full time regular military personnel who own homes in the county as well as reservists deployed for active duty while serving in a guard or reserve unit.

It’s unknown exactly how many families in Lehigh County this would affect. There are estimated to be about 300 reservists from Lehigh County. Service families would have to submit a rebate request which will be available soon on the county website at lehighcounty.org or by calling the Lehigh County Government Center at 610-782-3000.

“The issue here is not the total number, but our willingness as county residents -- regardless of our personal viewpoint on the war -- to sacrifice together to help those who are sacrificing for us,” Cunningham said. “Many of our service personnel have given the ultimate sacrifice to these efforts. This is just a small effort on our part to say thanks.”

Former United States Senator and Vietnam Veteran Max Cleland said, "Don Cunningham's tax relief idea is an example of forward-looking leadership. More than ever we need strong local, state and federal leaders stepping up to help military families. I hope this measure will be embraced and implemented."

Since the start of 2007, four Lehigh County residents have been killed while serving in Iraq: Ashly L. Moyer of Emmaus, Mark T. Resh of Lowhill Township, Brandon J. Van Parys of Lynn Township and Luis O. Rodriguez-Contreras of Allentown.