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Pottstown staff proposes $65 million 2026 budget, 0.483‑mill increase to be voted Monday

Pottstown Borough Council Committee of the Whole · December 4, 2025

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Summary

Borough staff on Dec. 3 presented a final 2026 budget of $65 million that reduces a projected deficit to $387,000 and would raise the millage by 0.483 mills (to 15.601) — an estimated 3.19% tax increase, about $48.30 on a $100,000 assessment — with formal approval scheduled for the council meeting Monday.

Borough staff presented a final 2026 general fund budget on Dec. 3 that totals $65,000,000 and reduces a projected deficit to $387,000.

Marley, the finance presenter, said the package would require a millage increase of 0.483 mills — raising the rate to 15.601 mills — producing an overall tax change of 3.19%. Marley offered an example: on a property assessed at $100,000 the change would add roughly $48.30 to annual taxes. Staff said the ordinance implementing the millage requires revision from last month and that council will be asked to approve the budget at Monday’s meeting.

Marley told council the borough began October facing a roughly $600,000 deficit and had reduced that gap through departmental cuts, insurance adjustments and other savings. She also noted an estimated revenue impact of approximately $60,000 tied to recent layoffs at Tower Health, which reduced expected earned-income‑tax and local‑service‑tax receipts; staff built that estimate into the December final numbers.

As part of year‑end housekeeping, staff previewed the 2026 municipal fee schedule update. The fees under review cover airport charges, police fees, finance and tax services, licensing and inspections, and items previously approved by the borough authority; staff said unchanged fees not referenced in the resolution will remain in effect and that the final schedule will be published after approval.

Separately, staff requested authorization to apply for a $550,000 Local Share Account (LSA) grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority to replace a fire engine damaged more than a year ago. Officials said there is no local match required by LSA and that the affected department would use any insurance settlement to cover unmet costs if the grant is awarded. Staff said the LSA application will be brought forward as a resolution for council authorization on Monday.

What happens next: council is scheduled to consider the millage ordinance and the budget at its next formal meeting; staff asked members to authorize the January meeting schedule and noted that final votes are expected Monday.

Budget and procedure details reported to council on Dec. 3 were: total budget $65,000,000; projected deficit after adjustments $387,000; proposed millage change +0.483 mills → 15.601 mills total; estimated tax increase 3.19% (about $48.30 on a $100,000 assessment).