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Lehigh Township board weighs adding two officers, grapples with 2026 budget shortfall
Summary
Supervisors reviewed a draft 2026 budget that adds two police officers and expanded road funding while noting lower-than-expected assessed values and falling cable franchise revenue; board members debated hiring contingent on a pending COPS grant and discussed a possible millage increase to cover ongoing costs.
Lehigh Township officials reviewed a draft 2026 budget on Sept. 23 that would add two police officers and increase road funding while reflecting slightly lower assessed values and shrinking cable franchise revenue.
Manager Alice Rehrig told the Board that assessed values were “slightly off,” reducing projected real‑estate tax revenue by roughly $1,500 and that cable TV franchise receipts have declined by about $25,000–$30,000 annually. The draft includes funds for two additional officers — increasing authorized police staffing to 14 — and additional public‑works spending.
Supervisors debated whether to approve hiring before grant results are known. Jerry Pritchard urged caution, saying the Board should “see how we operate with a new chief” before expanding headcount; David Hess and others argued restoring full staffing is a priority. Rehrig said the pending COPS grant would not fully fund officers beyond the initial period and the Township would need to cover ongoing costs if the grant is accepted.
Cindy Miller noted that adding two officers as budgeted would push the police department to about 48 percent of the operating budget, with public works near 30 percent. She also raised long‑term software and equipment concerns tied to potential body‑worn camera programs, noting some vendors bundle expensive multi‑year contracts that require ongoing payments.
On capital items, Rehrig reported the maintenance‑building closeout audit shows no issues and that the Township should receive $62,500 in state reimbursement between Oct. 15 and Nov. 30; after reimbursements the building fund is expected to retain about $150,000 that could be available for roads or facility repairs. The replacement schedule for heavy equipment (a tandem/dump truck due in 2027) and recreation assets (batting cages on a roughly five‑ to seven‑year replacement cycle) also featured in discussion.
The Board set a follow‑up budget meeting for Oct. 14 to narrow options and asked Rehrig to return a balanced draft that identifies items to remove if revenues do not materialize.
The Board did not take final budget action at the meeting.
