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CATA raises operational concerns; COG presents 2026 draft budget with 4.5% municipal share increase
Summary
CATA raised operational concerns about Guapalini Drive and the effects of Atherton Street changes on transit. The Centre Region Council of Governments presented a draft 2026 budget that would raise municipal shares by 4.5% overall and increase the boroughshare by about 7.91%.
Dave Rischel, interim executive director of CATA, and Ben Estelle, executive director of the Centre Region Council of Governments (COG), briefed council members on transit concerns and the COGdraft 2026 budget.
Rischel told the council CATA has “tremendous concerns with Guapalini Drive,” describing that quarter of the system as the agency’s busiest and noting that planned changes along Atherton will have operational consequences for transit routing and service. CATA asked to be kept involved as PennDOT refines construction staging and timing.
Ben Estelle summarized the COG 2026 budget and highlighted municipal share changes. “Overall, we are looking at a 4.5% increase, to the municipal shares,” Estelle said. The presentation showed the boroughshare rising about 7.91% under the draft share formula; other formula components (assessed value, census, EIT) also contributed to the borough change. Estelle said healthcare is a principal driver of the budget increase with a projected 13.6% rise in health costs.
Other budget notes and concerns
Estelle told council staff that an administrative allocation (an historical $150,000 charge pushed to agencies/municipalities) appears in the budget spreadsheet but lacked a clear current basis; he said the figure likely dates to a prior staffing arrangement and that COG staff will revisit the allocation and admin‑charge methodology. The presentation also noted that aquatics programs, which previously operated with a fund balance, now require municipal shares for the first time since 2014.
Council follow‑up
Council members asked for more detail on municipal‑share calculations, the composition of the borough increase, and how COG will phase in dental and vision plan costs (Estelle said those benefits will affect 2027 and 2028 shares). COG staff said they will provide additional documentation and said staff intend to discuss admin‑cost allocation with member municipalities.
Speakers
Dave Rischel, interim executive director, CATA; Ben Estelle, executive director, Centre Region COG; Dwight Miller (COG representative); Nalini Krishnakudi (council member; referenced in staff remarks); Mr. Fontaine (staff).
Provenance
Topic introduction: transcript excerpt at 01:01:19: "Moving on now to a CATA update, mister Fontaine. Dave Rischel, the interim executive director, is here this evening to provide an update on CATA and to introduce the new executive director." (transcript block b148).
Topic finish: transcript excerpt at 01:06:42: Ben Estelle summarizing municipal share increases and administrative items; presentation continued into questions (transcript block b150).
Searchable tags:["CATA","COG budget","municipal shares","healthcare costs","aquatics","administrative allocation"]
