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Murrysville reviews 2025 operating budget and flags hydrant‑tax and park‑royalty issues
Summary
Council reviewed the proposed 2025 operating budget ($17.28 million excluding transfers), approved 2024 amendments, and debated hydrant‑tax sustainability and the use of gas‑lease/royalty funds earmarked in a park reserve. Staff said $2.2 million from leases currently sits in the Murrysville Community Park fund and that hydrant‑fund reserves could be depleted by 2028 without adjustments.
Murrysville council heard a detailed presentation on amendments to the 2024 operating and capital budgets and an overview of the proposed 2025 operating budget. Staff reported total proposed 2025 operating expenses of $17,279,311 (excluding interfund transfers) and described amendments totaling $61,949 to the general fund and $685,550 to the capital reserve.
Key administration amendments include adding salary and benefit funding for a newly approved finance position, increased legal fees tied to tax assessment appeals, and health‑insurance adjustments due to a qualified life event and the new hire. Capital amendments include emergency bridge repairs (Logan Ferry/William Penn bridge) supported by a Department of Community and Economic Development grant, police equipment purchased with a grant, and an HVAC replacement at the Administration Building paid from reserve.
During line‑item discussion staff explained millage reallocations (a 0.2‑mill shift into the general fund, capital reserve reduced to 3.2 mills) and projected debt service and special‑purpose rates. The presenter warned that hydrant‑fund reserves are projected to be depleted by 2028 because MAWC hydrant fees rose from $50 to $55 per hydrant and the number of hydrants keeps increasing; the hydrant tax currently yields roughly $32,000 annually and would require a small millage increase (to about 0.12–0.13 mils) to stabilize the fund.
Council also probed revenues from recent gas‑lease and royalty payments tied to park property. Staff said about $2.2 million from leases/signing bonuses is currently in the Murrysville Community Park (MCP) fund and is being invested conservatively; those funds were earmarked for park projects but staff noted deed language varies and specific leases may not legally require park‑only spending. Staff said the lease/signing bonus funds have been invested in term pieces and money‑market accounts to earn interest until allocated.
No public comments were offered specifically on the budget at the hearing. The council closed the budget hearing and moved into the regular meeting.
