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Springettsbury presents balanced $21.0 million general fund budget for 2026; no municipal tax-rate increase
Summary
Springettsbury Township officials presented a 2026 operating budget that holds the municipal tax rate steady and balances the general fund without using reserves, while flagging 2025 revenue shortfalls and recommending continued fee and vendor reviews.
Jamie Reed, presenting the township’s 2026 budget, told the Board of Supervisors the general fund budget for 2026 is $21,008,372 and that the township is recommending no change to the municipal tax rate.
"I'm pleased to announce that there will be no proposed change to the municipal tax rate," Reed said, and added staff built conservative revenue projections after midyear 2025 results showed revenue declines and higher expenses.
The finance presentation detailed a midyear 2025 shortfall driven by weaker permit and real-estate transfer-tax receipts and a drop in expected grants; Reed said revenues were about $1,300,000 below projections while expenses rose roughly $500,000, producing a roughly $1.8 million gap year over year. To respond, staff trimmed spending in multiple departments, reviewed vendor contracts and benefits, and proposed targeted fee increases for community development and recreation to better align charges with costs.
Reed reviewed departmental changes: administration is down about 15% (largely from a reduced interfund transfer to capital), information technology is up about 7.6%, police is down roughly 1.8%, fire and rescue increased about 5.3% (including a $107,000 Fire Relief Association payment), and public works rose about 4.4% primarily on personnel and building-related expenses.
On reserves, Reed said the township maintains a 10% fund-balance policy and reported a cash balance of $7,152,822 at the end of 2024. After removing account designations, the adjusted October 7 balance was $5,934,449; Reed warned that November and December payments will reduce that figure. He said the township will review its fund-balance policy in 2026 and consider whether the 10% target remains appropriate.
Reed noted the township migrated accounting data between software systems (accounts moved from "Unis" to "Cassell"), which created unused line items; he said staff will clean up obsolete accounts and consolidate tax-line reporting later this year. Reed also described steps taken to reduce costs, including discussions with Concord Public Finance on debt capacity, York Adams Tax Bureau on revenue projections, Portnoff Law to pursue past-due sewer bills, and brokers to lower utility expenses.
The presentation included a brief economic forecast prepared by a York College student, which Reed said will help inform medium-term revenue expectations. The board asked follow-up questions on collection trends, vendor evaluation plans and the potential need for future tax changes if revenue pressures persist.
The township will continue work sessions and expects final budget approval by the board in December.
