Carlisle proposes $58.39 million 2026 budget; council approves it for public display and schedules Dec. 11 hearing
November 18, 2025 | Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
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The Borough of Carlisle on Nov. 17 presented a proposed $58,394,836 fiscal year 2026 budget and voted to place the draft on public display and schedule a follow-up public hearing.
A staff presenter described the document as a “comprehensive plan” covering eight funds — general, water, sewer, stormwater, parking, solid waste, capital projects and highway — and said the draft includes a combination of conservative revenue estimates, expenditure reductions where possible and one-time use of fund balance for capital work. “The borough's capital improvement plan ... results in a total fiscal year 20 26 budget of $58,394,836,” the presenter said.
Why it matters: the draft balances near-term infrastructure needs with reserves. Finance staff noted a 2024 general-fund surplus of just over $2 million that helps close a projected operating gap, and the draft proposes using $1.7 million of fund balance in 2026 (about 73% for capital projects and roughly $460,000 for operations). Staff emphasized there is no tax-rate increase proposed for 2026 but warned that continued reliance on reserves would require discussion of options before any future tax changes.
Key votes and next steps: Council voted to approve the 2026 proposed budget for public display and public comment. The council also scheduled a public hearing for Dec. 11, 2025 at 5:45 p.m. to receive comment on the proposed budget. In addition, council authorized staff to draft and advertise a set of ordinances tied to the budget — a general/tax-and-fire millage ordinance and rate/fee ordinances for water, sewer, stormwater and solid waste — with the rates and effective dates specified by staff. The council recorded the motions and each motion “carried.”
What’s in the proposed ordinances: staff asked to advertise a general-purpose tax at 3.058 mills and a fire services tax at 0.752 mills; a water-rate ordinance setting $7.54 per 100 cubic feet for consumption billed after May 1, 2026; a sewer-rate ordinance at $7.66 per 100 cubic feet for discharges billed after May 1, 2026; a stormwater fee of $7.00 per ERU per month effective May 1, 2026; and solid-waste/recycling fees set to $91.89 per quarter per residence with additional tags at $9.92 each effective Jan. 1, 2026.
Budget drivers and capital highlights: major capital spending in the draft includes the Carlisle connectivity project, purchase of a new fire engine, water-main replacements on East High Street and York Road, the Ridge Street tank replacement and upgrades tied to PFAS pilot testing and treatment design. Staff said many deficits projected in 2026 are linked to planned capital activity rather than ongoing operations.
The council’s actions send the package to public display and set a formal comment period; the hearing on Dec. 11 will be the next opportunity for residents to testify before the council considers final ordinance adoption.
A staff presenter described the document as a “comprehensive plan” covering eight funds — general, water, sewer, stormwater, parking, solid waste, capital projects and highway — and said the draft includes a combination of conservative revenue estimates, expenditure reductions where possible and one-time use of fund balance for capital work. “The borough's capital improvement plan ... results in a total fiscal year 20 26 budget of $58,394,836,” the presenter said.
Why it matters: the draft balances near-term infrastructure needs with reserves. Finance staff noted a 2024 general-fund surplus of just over $2 million that helps close a projected operating gap, and the draft proposes using $1.7 million of fund balance in 2026 (about 73% for capital projects and roughly $460,000 for operations). Staff emphasized there is no tax-rate increase proposed for 2026 but warned that continued reliance on reserves would require discussion of options before any future tax changes.
Key votes and next steps: Council voted to approve the 2026 proposed budget for public display and public comment. The council also scheduled a public hearing for Dec. 11, 2025 at 5:45 p.m. to receive comment on the proposed budget. In addition, council authorized staff to draft and advertise a set of ordinances tied to the budget — a general/tax-and-fire millage ordinance and rate/fee ordinances for water, sewer, stormwater and solid waste — with the rates and effective dates specified by staff. The council recorded the motions and each motion “carried.”
What’s in the proposed ordinances: staff asked to advertise a general-purpose tax at 3.058 mills and a fire services tax at 0.752 mills; a water-rate ordinance setting $7.54 per 100 cubic feet for consumption billed after May 1, 2026; a sewer-rate ordinance at $7.66 per 100 cubic feet for discharges billed after May 1, 2026; a stormwater fee of $7.00 per ERU per month effective May 1, 2026; and solid-waste/recycling fees set to $91.89 per quarter per residence with additional tags at $9.92 each effective Jan. 1, 2026.
Budget drivers and capital highlights: major capital spending in the draft includes the Carlisle connectivity project, purchase of a new fire engine, water-main replacements on East High Street and York Road, the Ridge Street tank replacement and upgrades tied to PFAS pilot testing and treatment design. Staff said many deficits projected in 2026 are linked to planned capital activity rather than ongoing operations.
The council’s actions send the package to public display and set a formal comment period; the hearing on Dec. 11 will be the next opportunity for residents to testify before the council considers final ordinance adoption.
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