Council votes to advertise 2026 preliminary budget amid calls for public budget meetings

The Morrisville Borough Council voted to advertise its 2026 preliminary budget on Nov. 18, a procedural step that makes the proposed document available for public inspection prior to final adoption.

Borough manager Dylan presented the proposed budgets and said the packet calls for a 0.5 mill increase in the library tax (bringing the library tax to 4 mills) intended to address a 2023 deficit of about $69,000. He also stated the proposed budgets include an overall decrease in real-estate millage described as 10.5 mills (characterized in the meeting as representing a 21% millage decrease for the community). He recommended council adopt the proposed budgets for public review so the draft can be amended or adopted at the December meeting.

Public commenters urged more transparency and a fuller public-review schedule. "I urge council to schedule public budget meetings," Deborah Colgan said, noting many residents feel the budget process has not been sufficiently open and that detailed review sessions would help stakeholders ask focused questions and understand trade-offs. Other councilors volunteered to find time for a public budget meeting prior to final adoption.

The motion to advertise the preliminary budget passed 8'to'0 on a roll call; council emphasized advertising is a legal requirement to allow the public to inspect the draft and provide comment before final adoption in December.

Why it matters: Advertising the preliminary budget begins the statutory process that allows the public to review and comment; changes to millage and library funding affect tax bills and local services.

Next steps: The advertised preliminary budget will be posted for public inspection and final adoption will be considered at the council meeting in December, after public comment and any revisions.