Tax Collector Salary Increases, Health Benefits Cut

Parkland School Board Directors approved a "fairly substantial" salary increase for the three area tax collectors Tuesday night.

Director of Business Administration John Vignone said the significant increase was due to health benefits being cut from the compensation package. He estimated the salary for North Whitehall, South Whitehall and Upper Macungie tax collectors was increased by about $7,000 each.

Every four years, directors set the salary of elected tax collectors. Directors said Tuesday the decision to reduce benefits and increase the salary was made after "thoroughly vetting" the information during workshops.

The salaries will be in effect January 2014 - December 2017. 

Compensation was described on the District website as:

• The compensation for the office of the elected tax collector for South Whitehall Township shall be $27,279 and shall be effective January 6, 2014 through December 31, 2017. Except for allowance for actual and needful expenditures for printing, postage, books, blanks and forms as provided for under the Local Tax Collection Law (72 P.S. §5511.34), the office of the elected tax collector shall not receive any fringe benefits such as but not limited to medical insurance, prescription drug insurance, dental insurance, life insurance or disability insurance.   
• The compensation for the office of the elected tax collector for North Whitehall Township shall be $24,520 and shall be effective January 6, 2014 through December 31, 2017. Except for allowance for actual and needful expenditures for printing, postage, books, blanks and forms as provided for  under the Local Tax Collection Law (72 P.S. §5511.35), the office of the elected tax collector shall not receive any fringe benefits such as but not limited to medical insurance, prescription drug insurance, dental insurance, life insurance or disability insurance.   
• The compensation for the office of the elected tax collector for Upper Macungie Township shall be $24,755 and shall be effective January 6, 2014 through December 31, 2017. Except for allowance for actual and needful expenditures for printing, postage, books, blanks and forms as provided for  under the Local Tax Collection Law (72 P.S. §5511.35), the office of the elected tax collector shall not receive any fringe benefits such as but not limited to edical insurance, prescription drug insurance, dental insurance, life insurance or disability insurance.