The Narberth Borough Council voted unanimously on Dec. 18 to adopt the borough's 2026 final budget and to keep the property tax rate unchanged at 9.865 mills. Councilors approved a package of related routine actions including a budget amendment for 2025, a slate of appointments to boards and commissions, and a set of other administrative items.

Why it matters: The council's action finalizes spending and revenue plans for 2026, preserves the existing millage for property owners and reconstitutes several advisory bodies that shape local planning, parks and public-safety policy.

The council adopted the 2026 final budget after staff described a handful of minor corrections and new line items. Officials said property and liability premiums came in lower than projected, and the budget now includes a new parking-lot license fee related to the lot behind 230 Haverford estimated at about $5,000. The administration also separated contractor registration fees (about $2,000) from building-permit pass-through revenue to improve accounting transparency.

Council also approved Resolution 2025-22 levying property taxes for fiscal year 2026 at the unchanged rate of 9.865 mills.

Votes at a glance (key actions taken)
- Consent agenda (items a–e): approved by unanimous voice vote.
- Adopt 2026 final budget: adopted, unanimous.
- Resolution 2025-22 (2026 tax rate 9.865 mills): adopted, unanimous.
- 2025 budget amendment No. 2 (year-end technical adjustments including parking-lot license and contractor fee reclassification): adopted, unanimous.
- Resolution 2025-23 (boards & commissions appointments as listed in the meeting packet): adopted, unanimous; appointments include reappointments and new appointments across EAC, HAARB, Planning Commission, Shade Tree, Zoning Hearing Board, UCC Board of Appeals, NIDA, Police Advisory Committee, Parks & Rec (see provenance for full list).
- Ordinance 10-68 (advertise to increase Planning Commission to seven members, reduce the Environmental Advisory Council to five, and add a Parks & Rec alternate): council voted to amend the proposed ordinance to add an alternate position for Parks & Rec (alternate counts toward quorum and may vote only when filling in for absent full members) and to advertise the ordinance; amendment passed 6–1 and the ordinance as amended was advertised.
- Parking regulation trial: council approved a trial removal of two-hour permit parking on the 200 block of Chestnut and the full length of South Essex Avenue (three-month trial period with signs covered; removal subject to subsequent ordinance amendment if residents petition to reinstate).
- Employee handbook amendment (nonexempt classification for two administrative staff and 35-hour workweek with unpaid lunch): approved, unanimous.
- Price Avenue striping pilot: the council authorized implementation of the pedestrian-safety/parking striping plan (Pinonie plan dated 02/12/2025) and ordered follow-up signage/enforcement; approved unanimously.

What council members said: Presiding officer opened several votes with "All those in favor?" and noted when items passed unanimously. Staff and councilors emphasized these were largely technical or procedural changes that do not increase the overall tax burden beyond the adopted millage.

Next steps: Ordinance 10-68 will be advertised for public comment; the Parks & Rec alternate position and the reconstituted commissions will take effect when appointments are processed. The parking trial will proceed under the three-month covered-sign period and may return to council for a formal ordinance amendment depending on resident petition results.