Franklin Township introduces $75.3 million 2026 municipal budget; council sets May 12 public hearing

Franklin Township's council on April 28 introduced the calendar-year 2026 municipal budget and related ordinances, setting a public hearing for May 12, 2026.

The council voted unanimously to introduce ordinance 452‑26, which allows the township to exceed appropriation limits and create a cap bank as part of the budget process. Township officials said the proposed general‑fund budget totals about $75.29 million and that the municipal portion to be raised by taxes will increase to roughly $41.72 million — a municipal levy rise the mayor characterized as a 7% increase for the municipal portion of residents' tax bills.

Why it matters: Township leaders said the increase reflects mandatory and largely uncontrollable cost pressures, including a larger-than-expected self‑insured medical benefits bill, higher recycling and trash hauling costs, utilities and storm/snow expenses. The manager explained the town will use trust funds and fund balance to blunt the immediate tax impact but warned of the limits of that approach over time.

Details: The manager listed the largest drivers as a net increase in self‑insured medical costs, higher recycling/trash expenses (an increase the manager placed in the hundreds of thousands), increased snow removal costs after two large storms, utilities and a modest rise in salary and wage lines across funds. The manager also said the township will use about $3.44 million from its medical benefits reserve this year and noted, "We should maintain a minimum of $4 million because that's basically the health insurance fund balance," framing the draw as a short‑term mitigation that reduces flexibility later.

Council debate and cuts: Council members and the financial oversight committee described multiple tradeoffs made to reduce the initial levy impact — delaying or cutting some capital projects, not filling several vacant positions and trimming some operating reserves. Mayor Kramer and other members emphasized they had sought to balance service continuity with fiscal discipline; the mayor noted the council has had multiple years with no municipal tax increase in the recent past but said current cost pressures required action.

Formal steps: The introduction vote was unanimous; the manager and clerk confirmed that the budget ordinance and required resolutions were introduced for first reading and the public hearing and final adoption are scheduled for May 12, 2026. Residents will be able to comment at the public hearing and during the normal public‑comment portion of that session.

What comes next: The council must hold the advertised public hearing and consider public comment before final adoption. Officials said further changes are possible between introduction and final adoption, and emphasized that using accumulated reserves this year reduces but does not eliminate the need for future fiscal adjustments.