Phoenixville council authorizes advertisement of 2026 draft budget, tax levy ceiling set at 9.82 mills
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Summary
Phoenixville Borough Council voted unanimously to authorize advertisement of the 2026 draft budget and to schedule and advertise a tax‑levy ordinance with a not‑to‑exceed ceiling of 9.82 mills. The draft working budget totals $36,540,658 and staff said several inputs (insurance, assessed valuation) remain outstanding before adoption in December.
Phoenixville Borough Council on Nov. 12 voted unanimously to authorize public advertisement of the borough’s draft 2026 budget and to schedule an ordinance advertising a tax levy with a not‑to‑exceed ceiling of 9.82 mills.
The borough manager presented the draft budget, describing enterprise funds for parking, water, wastewater and sanitation alongside the general fund. "This draft budget reflects investment in staffing and programs that reflect community needs," the manager said during the presentation. The borough said the draft working budget for 2026 is $36,540,658 and that the general fund projects revenue of $19,992,971 against expenditures of $21,207,000, producing a gap that staff expects to narrow as outstanding items are finalized.
Why it matters: The advertised millage is a ceiling that gives the borough the ability to publish required notices while staff completes final calculations (insurance rates, county assessed valuation and other inputs). Council members stressed the advertised number is frequently higher than the final adopted levy.
Details from the budget presentation: parking fund capital projects include renovations at 419 High Street and 155 Paradise Street; parking revenue is projected at about $1,327,300. The water fund noted a maturing 2022 self‑liquidating bond and capital needs including replacement pumps and electrical feed upgrades; staff did not recommend rate increases for water or wastewater in 2026. Pension balances and required borough contributions were highlighted as material pressures on the general fund.
Council questions focused on personnel cost assumptions and the effect of a multi‑year union agreement on the budget. After discussion, Councilmember Dugan moved to authorize advertisement of the draft budget; the motion passed without opposition.
Votes at a glance: consent agenda (approved, 7‑0); motion to authorize advertisement of the 2026 draft budget (approved, 7‑0); motion to schedule and advertise the 2026 tax levy ordinance (approved, 7‑0); resolution to submit a Local Share Account (LSA) grant application for the Square at Bridge and Main (approved, 7‑0). The council will revisit final adoption at the Dec. 9 meeting after staff incorporates outstanding inputs.
What’s next: The borough will post the advertised budget and accept public review for at least 10 days as required by borough code, with final action on the budget expected at the December council meeting.
