Rollins Way supplemental appropriation may shift costs to general fund, assembly told

The finance committee reviewed Ordinance 2024-19-38, a supplemental appropriation of $150,000 to the special assessment fund for the Rollins Way Road Improvement Assessment District.

Miss Harbaugh told the committee that bids for Rollins Way were substantially higher than originally estimated and that the supplemental appropriation will cover an additional $150,000. Harbaugh said the ordinance as presented indicates $50,000 from the road service area and $100,000 from the general fund, but noted the road service area board had voted not to provide the additional funding. If the road service area does not contribute the $50,000, Harbaugh said the borough may present an ordinance on June 17 that would fund the entire $150,000 from the general fund, which would raise individual assessments. "So this ordinance appropriates $150,000 right now," Harbaugh said, and warned that payments to property owners could rise with a change in funding source.

Harbaugh also said the administration was asking to postpone the hearing until June 17 to allow time for down payments and other payment mechanisms to be confirmed; the clerk noted the hearing date will need to be amended on the consent agenda if the June 17 date is used. Committee members asked about prior re-ads and whether the borough is shifting assessment cost shares; Assembly member Johnson and Mayor Michicky both commented that the borough's capacity for re-ads is strained and that property owners may bear a larger share going forward. The committee did not record a formal vote during the session.