Clifton Heights releases proposed 2026 budget with no tax increase; council to advertise levy

Clifton Heights Borough Manager presented a proposed 2026 budget that would keep the borough's municipal tax rate unchanged while using part of the borough's fund balance to cover the gap.

The manager said, "We're still going for a 0% increase in the budget," and walked council members through revenue and expenditure assumptions underpinning the proposal. Key revenue projections include a real-estate transfer tax estimate of about $110,000, public-utility tax receipts of $25,000 and a projected $150,000 from video-permit revenue tied to newly inspected machines and other fee changes. He also cited growing camera-related police-report revenue that did not exist three years ago.

The nut graf: Council was asked to approve advertising the budget and a tax-levy and municipal-fee ordinance for public review. The manager said staff anticipates using part of the borough's fund balance to avoid raising the tax rate; the proposed operating revenue is roughly $4.78 million against projected expenditures in the $5.0 million range, leaving a year-end fund balance the manager described as "about $4,109,073," and saying the plan would leave several million in reserves after the draw.

In the body of the budget, the manager described several expenditure drivers: a 3% across-the-board raise included for union and nonunion employees, higher insurance and benefit costs (hospitalization and pension contribution obligations), increased utility and vehicle operating costs, and ongoing capital and maintenance work on borough facilities. He said the borough reduced a longtime special-project litigation line from $500,000 to $50,000 and expects the school district to reimburse related work where applicable.

Officials warned residents may still see higher costs tied to contracted services. The manager said the borough expects upward pressure on the trash contract and presented options that included a residential increase in the range of $75–$100 per household depending on choices; he also noted sewer-service rates under separate funds could rise by about 4% in some districts because of infiltration and rising costs.

Council solicitor/staff said he would advertise the budget’s availability for public review following the meeting and noted the advertisement must precede adoption by at least 10 days; the council may amend the budget up to and including the December meeting. No formal adoption vote occurred at this meeting.

The manager also outlined proposed capital and grant efforts that feed the budget picture, notably a pending Commonwealth Financing Authority local-share grant application (see separate article). The borough will return with final numbers and formal motions at a future meeting.