The Narberth Borough Council moved to advertise the 2026 draft budget, a document the manager said reflects decisions made during earlier budget sessions. The draft includes a proposed earned income tax increase (advertised separately by council), a $500,000 transfer to the capital fund, proposed sewer fee changes (from $5.25 to $6.00 per 1,000 gallons) and adjustments to solid waste fees with a $5 reduction for single-family residences compared with prior projections.

The manager listed capital items planned for next year and beyond: replacement of the municipal building elevator, library vestibule HVAC repairs, a new police vehicle via leasing, mandated county radio upgrades for police, acquisition and upfit schedule for a new public works vehicle, town clock modernization, stormwater MS4-related sediment-capture bump-outs, sanitary sewer projects and Elmwood-Wynwood pedestrian bridge work.

Separately, council authorized three capital expenditures: a sewer camera crawler system from Stephenson Equipment Inc. for $32,725.52 (staff said in-house inspection will reduce emergency repair costs and help pre/post construction inspection); a split-system HVAC for the Bell Scout Room from Centro Mechanical at $12,200; and authorization to begin the procurement/upfit schedule for a 2026 Ford F-550 dump truck upfit (estimated upfit cost $73,364) with long lead times (~58 weeks). Councilors noted some projects appear in the sewer fund and others in the capital fund and that timing affects when funds will be expended.

What happens next: the budget will be advertised and available for public review; related ordinances and capital expenditure approvals will be finalized at upcoming meetings.