Lewistown council discusses 2026 budget, millage adjustments and CDBG reallocation for fire equipment

Borough finance staff presented a draft 2026 budget that, as described to council, shows a modest overall positive position across borough funds and includes proposed millage adjustments and spending plans for fire-safety equipment.

Staff said the general borough fund would show roughly $50,000 positive, refuse about $250,000 positive, wastewater reserves would be reduced from a typical $250,000 target because of timing of expenses, and wastewater treatment reserves were expected to be about $350,000. Within the budget, staff proposed millage adjustments: municipal lighting from 0.736 to 1.119 mills, a fire-tax adjustment from 0.267 to 0.2299 mills, and an increase in the real-estate millage from 13.859 to 14.859 mills — a combined difference staff estimated at about 1.78 mills and an average household impact of around $45.

Separately, Carol High (representing county/multi-municipal grant administration) explained that a 2023 CDBG street reconstruction budget line was abandoned because the project area is in the floodway and paving would require expensive permeable surfacing. The council redirected approximately $240,000 (combined 2023–2024 funds) toward fire-safety equipment procurement for the Lewistown Fire Department and requested an additional 2025 CDBG request for a phase 2 purchase of self-contained breathing apparatus (target: 35 units across phases). Staff explained procurement would be split into two phases to allow some purchases before the 2025 funding is finalized.

Council members confirmed the numbers and thanked staff and volunteers involved. The council recommended approval to advertise the 2026 budget; no final adoption vote was recorded in the provided segments.