Carlisle council adopts FY2026 budget, raises millage and approves fees, in‑house waste plan and grant request

Carlisle Borough Council on Dec. 11 voted to adopt its fiscal year 2026 budget and a suite of ordinances and resolutions affecting taxes, utility rates, fees and municipal services. Council approved the budget resolution and then moved to set 2026 real estate millage at 3.058 mills for general purposes and 0.752 mills for fire service. Both measures passed after roll call.

Council also adopted ordinances establishing new water, sewer and stormwater rates and approved an ordinance setting the trash collection fee at $91.89 per quarter per residential dwelling unit and $9.92 per additional tagged bag, effective Jan. 1, 2026. Council noted the trash fee increase aligns with the existing hauler contract escalation clause.

During the meeting council approved a package of outside agency disbursements (including $2,000 to Safe Harbor Inc.), with one councilor recusing from the Safe Harbor vote because of an attorney relationship. A multiyear agreement with Revised Software Systems for a $24,050 website upgrade was approved, and council confirmed a volunteers list that qualifies active volunteer firefighters for earned income tax and real estate tax credit reimbursement.

On services and capital, the public works committee’s resolution to pursue an in‑house municipally operated solid waste and recycling program passed; staff were directed to develop and implement a comprehensive plan and noted any operational change would occur after the current hauler contract ends in 2027. Council also approved a resolution to support a Commonwealth LSA grant application of $725,204 to purchase two solid waste trucks.

Council approved a $25,592.50 purchase of security cameras through the Commonwealth cooperative purchasing program; councilors asked staff to confirm whether footage would be stored on department servers or in the cloud. The mayor was authorized to sign a DEP sewage facilities planning module exemption for the Carlisle Construction Materials expansion project, and several appointments to boards and commissions were confirmed.

Why it matters: The budget and rate changes set the borough’s fiscal direction for 2026 and change what residents will pay for property taxes, water, sewer, stormwater and trash collection. The in‑house solid waste resolution and accompanying LSA grant request signal a potential service delivery shift that will require further planning and capital investment.

Votes at a glance (selected): - Adopt 2026 budget resolution: motion moved by Deputy Mayor Landis; motion carried (voice vote). - Adopt 2026 real estate mill rates: 3.058 mills (general), 0.752 mills (fire): motion carried (roll call recorded as 'Aye' by roll). - Adopt ordinances to set water, sewer and stormwater rates: motions carried (roll call). - Trash fee: $91.89 per quarter; $9.92 per additional tagged bag, effective 01/01/2026: motion carried (roll call). - Approve in‑house solid waste intent resolution and direct manager to plan transition: motion carried (voice vote); current hauler contract runs through 2027. - Support LSA grant application of $725,204 for two trucks: motion carried. - Approve purchase of security cameras ($25,592.50): motion carried; staff to confirm data storage arrangements. - Approve Revised Software Systems website contract ($24,050): motion carried. - Confirm multiple appointments to boards and commissions and approve volunteer firefighter list (tax credit eligibility): motions carried.

What happens next: Several items approved require follow up — staff will develop the in‑house solid waste plan and pursue grant funding, the borough manager will sign required DEP forms for the construction materials project, and staff indicated they will clarify camera data storage procedures. Several ordinances take effect with stated dates (trash fee effective Jan. 1, 2026).