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Township manager outlines finances, infrastructure, parks and public-safety priorities in State of the Township address
Summary
Amanda, the township manager, told the Concord Township Council the township spent American Rescue Plan funds on stormwater projects, welcomed 27 new businesses in 2024, and highlighted sewer and parks operations, awards and a recent millage increase for fire and EMS.
Amanda, the township manager, delivered Concord Township’s State of the Township address at the March 4 council meeting, reviewing finances, capital projects and service highlights for 2024 and early 2025.
In the presentation, Amanda said the township used $1.8 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for stormwater and safety projects, described steps to complete remaining ARPA work, and pointed residents to an infographic report posted on the township website for full details. “We responsibly spent the $1,800,000 of the American Rescue Plan money on stormwater safety projects,” Amanda said.
Why it matters: the remarks summarize spending priorities and operational capacity that affect residents’ taxes, infrastructure reliability and public services.
Key points from the address
- ARPA and capital work: Amanda said ARPA funds were targeted at stormwater projects and that several projects remain active because of DEP permitting and other delays. She said the township is working to finish those projects this year.
- Business and community engagement: The manager reported 27 new businesses located in the township in 2024 and estimated commercial vacancy at about 5 percent. She said the township hosted roughly 6,000 residents across events last year, including recycle days, community days, park cleanups and senior expos.
- Public safety and permitting: Amanda noted that council approved a millage increase in 2025 to support local fire and EMS services after months of discussion with those providers. She also said township staff issued “over a thousand” building and construction permits in 2024 to enforce safety standards.
- Public works and sewer operations: The township operates a sewer plant with a capacity Amanda described as “1,800,000 gallon a day,” maintains more than 14 pump stations and runs a small public-works crew (about seven employees) responsible for more than 300 acres of open and recreational space. She said the township received roughly $300,000 in grant funding this year for sewer operations.
- Parks and recreation: The township received a Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society (PRPS) award for excellence and reached “gold” status in the Bird Town program; staff distributed more than 1,000 trees as part of that initiative.
- Financial health and scale: Amanda said Concord Township’s population is 18,295, the township is the third-largest by land mass in the county, and it carries a double A1 bond rating. She described the township as having the fourth-lowest real estate tax rate in Delaware County.
Background and next steps
Amanda said the full State of the Township materials — audits, budgets and supporting presentations — will be available in the State of the Township section on the township website, with a QR code linking to additional details. She closed by noting continued pressures from mandates and external funding dependencies and said staff will continue advancing projects under council direction.
Ending: Council scheduled an executive session after the meeting on litigation; Amanda and staff said they would continue outreach on the remaining capital projects and post materials online for residents who want more detail.
