Norristown council amends appointments, adopts park plan, advertises 2026 budget and approves library land development
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Summary
Council amended Resolution 25‑62 to appoint Terrence Barnes to the Sewer Authority, approved Elmwood Park master site plan (Res. 25‑98), authorized advertisement of the FY2026 budget including a 1‑mill proposal and a new fire/EMS tax split, and approved preliminary/final land development for the Montgomery County Library at 1001 Powell St. All motions passed by roll call.
At its Nov. 18 work session Norristown Borough Council handled several consent and action items after public comment and the Stoney Creek hearing.
Appointments (Resolution 25‑62): Council debated a slate of appointments to boards and authorities and — after discussion about applicant preferences and resident representation — amended Resolution 25‑62 to appoint Terrence Barnes to the Norristown Sewer Authority (term expiring 12/31/2030). The amendment and the amended resolution passed by roll call; recorded votes showed unanimous "aye" votes by the seven council members present.
Parks: Council voted to adopt Resolution 25‑98 approving the Elmwood Park master site development plan prepared by Simone Collins and the Department of Recreation. The resolution passed on a roll‑call “aye.”
Budget and capital program: Finance staff presented the FY2026–2030 capital improvements program (5‑year total about $75 million; 2026 requests roughly $13.8 million) and described funding sources including proposed bond financing and ARPA dollars. Staff reported a refined revenue gap of about $1.69 million and recommended a one‑time use of fund balance for a pension increase plus a proposed 1‑mill tax increase. Council voted to authorize advertising the FY2026 budget ordinance and a separate ordinance to split the tax into a fire service tax (7.16 mil), an EMS tax (0.07 mil) and a general fund rate (12.02 mil), bringing the total levy from 18.25 mil to 19.25 mil for advertisement purposes. Advertising was approved by roll call; council may still revise figures before final adoption.
Library land development (Resolution 25‑99): Council approved preliminary and final land‑development for a Montgomery County rebuild of the Norristown Public Library at 1001 Powell Street after planning and design‑review boards recommended approval. County representatives said Phase 1 demolition is nearly complete and bidding for construction is hoped to go out in January.
Votes at a glance: resolutions 25‑62 (amended), 25‑98, 25‑99 and the budget advertising motions were adopted by roll call; all recorded roll calls in the meeting were unanimous "ayes."