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Lehigh Township reviews 2026 capital improvements plan, flags software, IT and police equipment costs
Summary
Supervisors reviewed the township’s 2026 capital improvements and budget planning, noting a possible expensive software migration, planned IT/network upgrades, vehicle replacement needs, and the need to monitor radio migration funding and the police station roof; the Board scheduled a Sept. 9 meeting at 6 p.m. to begin budget discussions.
The Board reviewed the Township’s 2026 Capital Improvements Plan and discussed items that may affect the 2026 budget.
Manager Alice Rehrig reported the township’s financial software vendor had been purchased by another company; converting to the new vendor’s software looked expensive, so Rehrig is researching alternative software vendors that can convert existing data at a lower cost. That conversion expense is not yet included in the 2026 budget.
IT items discussed included a completed wireless bridge, a firewall expected this year, and a planned tandem internet connection that should leverage franchise terms for one free connection. Meeting-room monitors have been ordered and are expected to be installed in 2025. Rehrig said GoDaddy remains the most economical email host with security and archiving, after Keystone Technology reviewed migration costs.
Public safety and fleet matters featured multiple points: the Board discussed replacing a police vehicle and whether to repurpose or sell older vehicles (a 2015 Explorer and a 2015 Charger, both with more than 100,000 miles). Rehrig said the township plans to increase its contribution toward radio replacement in capital planning to address the countywide digital migration. The police station roof, currently listed for replacement in 2030, will be monitored.
Staff also noted that 2024 delinquent tax payments that have started to come in include the newly enacted fire tax and that the salt shed is paid for and expected to last about 30 years. The Board agreed to begin the Sept. 9 meeting at 6 p.m. with the budget as the first agenda item.
No final budget appropriations were approved at the Aug. 26 meeting; supervisors instructed staff to refine cost estimates and return with budgets for departmental review ahead of the September meeting.
