Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves budgets, sets tax rates and clears project payments
Summary
New Freedom Borough council approved the 2026 borough and recreation budgets, set 2026 real estate tax rates with no increase, ratified a recreation hire and approved progress and final payments for wastewater and stormwater projects during its December meeting.
New Freedom Borough council on Dec. 8 approved the borough's 2026 budget and the Southern York County Regional Recreation Commission budget, set real estate tax rates for 2026 with no increase and authorized several project payments and staffing actions.
Council passed a resolution setting 2026 real estate tax rates at 2.3 mills for general service, 0.28 mills for fire service and 0.2 mills for EMS service; presenters said the action represents no tax increase for 2026. The council also approved the advertised 2026 borough budget and the recreation commission's budget after motions and seconding; both measures carried on voice votes.
On capital projects, council approved progress payment No. 8 to PSI Pumping Solutions Inc. in the amount of $223,196.53 for the wastewater aeration upgrade and approved final payment No. 2 to Clearview Escalating Inc. for $6,895 for the BB Tree pump station stormwater improvements. Staff noted the aeration upgrade contract balance remaining (stated in the meeting as about $2,600,000) and cautioned that winter work could slow construction and lead to additional payment requests.
Council unanimously ratified the hiring of Rachel McCauley as director of recreation for the regional commission after the hiring committee reported a unanimous recommendation; members said the candidate offered a 30-60-90 day plan and has local connections. Council also approved routine minutes and the treasurer's report for November.
The meeting concluded without requests for an executive session and adjourned after the votes.
Ending: Council said several items will return to future agendas for further detail, including library allocation paperwork and packet-distribution procedures ahead of the January meetings.
