Commissioners approve 2026 budget advertisement, payrolls and routine contracts

At their Dec. 2 meeting, the Northumberland County Commissioners approved a package of routine but consequential fiscal actions and contracts as part of the month’s consent motions.

Commissioners authorized payroll disbursements — payroll number 23 for $722,338.75 and payroll number 24 for $745,901.16 — and approved county and liquid fuels bills totaling $3,954,079.71 for the Nov. 15–25, 2025 pay cycle. The board moved to advertise the proposed 2026 county budget for the required 20‑day public inspection period; commissioners described the proposed budget as roughly $90 million and emphasized the plan carries no county tax increase compared with the prior year.

Other ratified items included renewal of a maintenance contract with Commonwealth Security of Sunbury for $10,865 annually for security‑system maintenance; copier equipment sales/lease agreements with TOPP Business Solutions and First Citizens Bank; a $4,978.69 courthouse roof repair with Equity Commercial Roofing; and lease agreements for county storage and rental properties on North 2nd Street in Sunbury. The board also approved a union contract with the International Union Security Police and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA) Local 502 effective Jan. 1, 2026 through Dec. 31, 2029.

Commissioners voted to authorize payment of approximately $433,353 for retiree health and welfare benefits for 2025. County finance staff explained the legacy benefit is paid according to years of service (roughly $100 per year of service up to 20 years; maximum ~$2,000 per retiree), and said the contract payment will be drawn from the appropriate benefit funds rather than the general fund.

All motions carried by voice vote.