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Supervisors criticize regional COG budgeting process in lengthy meeting discussion
Summary
During committee reports, several supervisors voiced frustration with the Council of Governments' budget and capital process, arguing it favors larger municipalities and leaves smaller townships without adequate influence. The board directed staff to consider putting a governance/budget review on a future agenda.
HARRIS TOWNSHIP, Pa. — An extended debate over the Council of Governments' (COG) budget and decision‑making process dominated the latter portion of the Aug. 12 meeting as supervisors responded to recent COG committee materials and capital requests.
Multiple supervisors expressed concern that the COG process and agency budget requests are driving municipal contributions higher and that the current approach does not sufficiently account for differences among member municipalities. One supervisor said the COG budget increase proposals risk making member townships shoulder disproportionate shares of regional spending, while another noted that certain COG funds are enterprise‑funded by developers and builders rather than general taxpayers.
Speakers urged clearer responsibility for the COG budget, better advance information on capital requests, and stronger leadership from the executive director and finance director. The board chair asked that the topic be placed on a future regular agenda for organized discussion rather than an ad‑hoc committee report.
Next steps: board directed staff to schedule a substantive agenda item to review COG budgeting, agency funding models, and possible governance or funding formula changes.
