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Committee discusses tariffs, supply-chain risks and potential budget impacts; staff asked to prepare contingencies
Summary
Committee members discussed national tariff and trade developments that could drive up municipal procurement costs, urged department heads to identify vulnerable supplies, and asked staff to consider contingencies for next year’s budget and pension funding impacts.
Committee members discussed the potential local impacts of national tariff and trade disruptions and urged borough staff to prepare for increased costs in procurement, energy and pension funding volatility. Council member Bridal McGinnis said the borough should begin contingency planning now for higher infrastructure and vehicle costs, potential increases in chemicals used by wastewater treatment and uncertain grant funding.
Public Works Chair Bernie Flynn (public comment) noted suppliers may declare force majeure and that lead times and prices for commodity chemicals and materials are volatile. Flynn recommended departments rank high‑use, high‑cost disposable items and explore locking in prices where possible. Committee members discussed buying local, working with the business improvement district (BID) and chamber of commerce to support resilience for small businesses and to limit exposure to foreign‑sourced supply disruptions.
Councilors also noted the municipal pension could face investment losses from market volatility; McGinnis pointed to a year‑to‑date market decline as relevant to next year’s fiscal planning. Committee members framed the discussion as an early planning exercise and asked department heads to provide more detailed risk assessments to inform the 2026 budget.
Ending: Staff will return with departmental analyses of vulnerable supplies and suggested budgetary contingencies; no formal budget changes were voted at the meeting.
