The Eastern Delaware County Joint Recreation District voted Dec. 1 to adopt a $100,000 budget for fiscal year 2026, with $80,000 set aside for consulting services to complete the needs assessment and start preliminary design work if the project moves toward a ballot initiative.

Staff summarized the proposal and said Berkshire and Sunbury are working toward contributions in the $50,000 range and staff will continue to work with Galena to determine its proportionate share. The proposed appropriation listed $3,000 for insurance, $15,000 for legal fees and $80,000 for consulting services. “The ballot language, that will actually all be covered if, in fact, if the ballot initiative is approved,” a staff presenter said, adding that the $15,000 legal line should be adequate to get the district to the point of ballot readiness if needed.

Board members raised a procedural question about appropriating the full $100,000 before receiving firm commitments from all three jurisdictions. Staff replied that appropriations must be from district revenues and that the budget can be amended if a jurisdiction declines to participate. Mister Elliott moved to approve the budget with the text edits discussed; Mister Musacchio seconded. The roll call was 6 ayes and the motion carried.

The board also agreed to remove inaccurate references to having met “virtually” and to replace “amended budget” phrasing where appropriate before finalizing the resolution text.