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West Chester committee trims 2026 budget, weighs dedicated EMS millage to fund Goodfellowship
Summary
Finance Committee reduced the draft 2026 budget by about $1.14 million and discussed reallocating parts of the current 8.09-mill tax rate to create a separate emergency-services millage (0.386 mills) to fund Goodfellowship Ambulance’s request; staff recommended a hearing on a 3% wastewater rate increase.
The West Chester Finance Committee on Nov. 12 updated its draft 2026 budget, cutting the total from $45,733,531 to $44,596,158 and considering ways to stabilize funding for emergency medical services.
Chair Brian McGinnissom said the committee made changes totaling $1,137,372 since the Oct. 15 preliminary budget and called for options to cover Goodfellowship Ambulance’s annual request without raising the overall millage rate. "We do have to fund EMS, Goodfellowship," McGinnissom said, arguing a separate tax would provide a steady revenue stream.
Staff told the committee the draft includes a 3% wastewater rate increase and an increase in the rental-permit fee from $44 to $66 for 2026. The presenter said three capital projects in recreation, police and public works were pushed to 2027 to reduce the 2026 total.
The committee discussed two approaches: keep a single general millage with transparent accounting or create distinct millage rates (debt, emergency services, library). Staff estimated 0.386 mills would cover Goodfellowship’s annual ask and suggested the borough would need an ordinance and a hearing to change millage lines even if the overall millage rate does not rise. "You can do either or," staff said, offering to prepare pros and cons for the council.
Council members expressed concern that creating many narrowly earmarked millage lines could limit future flexibility. One member warned that pigeonholing funds could make it harder to reallocate dollars for changing priorities. "Do we need to have specific or can we just show that through proper accounting?" a member asked.
The chair also noted the borough intends to borrow roughly $143,000 from reserves to help balance the budget; staff reported reserves at a little over $9 million. The committee set a recommendation to schedule a hearing on wastewater rates ahead of the next budget hearing.
What’s next: the committee will hold the budget hearing Nov. 19 and may schedule a public hearing on any ordinance to reallocate millage or change wastewater rates before final adoption.
