Supervisors warn 2026 budget may need increases as pension RFP and staffing pressures mount

At its Aug. 12 meeting, the Lehigh Township Board of Supervisors signaled that the township’s 2026 budget and Capital Improvements Plan will need careful review and may require revenue increases to cover staffing and contract obligations.

Supervisor Cindy Miller said the township must factor in long‑term staffing needs and contract impacts when building a three‑to‑five year CIP. “Personally, I believe we will be looking at a general fund increase. I don’t see how we can continue to do that and look at hiring staff and repairing roads,” Miller said.

Manager Alice Rehrig told the board that Truist Bank is discontinuing investment services for the police pension plan and that Pennsylvania requirements under Act 600 and related laws require the township to issue a request for proposals. Rehrig said she received a sample RFP from the township’s actuary and will email the draft to trustees; the RFP must be advertised within a 60‑day solicitation window.

Trustees asked to include Sergeant John Henry and Public Works foreman Frank Zamadics in CIP input, especially given concerns about road maintenance and potential new personnel costs. The board also discussed the possibility of an open‑space tax to help cover recurring expenses.

The meeting recorded several cost and planning figures that will affect modeling for next year’s budget: the board noted a recent fencing quote increased by $3,700, the township has installed roughly 300 Hometown Hero banners and the maintenance building loan has been paid off after receiving the fourth reimbursement (final audit outstanding). The board did not adopt a final budget at the meeting and directed staff to develop multi‑year cost projections.