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Cumru board weighs half‑mill increase to shore up ambulance fund shortfall
Summary
Board members discussed raising the township millage by 0.5 mills to rebuild ambulance fund reserves and avoid a general‑fund carryover gap in early 2027; staff said the decision can wait until the formal tax‑ordinance process but asked for direction to prepare the advertised budget.
Cumru Township commissioners spent significant time reviewing the 2026 ambulance fund and whether to adjust the millage to maintain an adequate reserve. Staff said with the current 34 mills the fund will require the general fund to carry costs for February–March 2026 and that receipts at the current millage would not leave sufficient carryover for early 2027.
Staff presented revenue projections at 34, 36, 38 and 38.4 mills and used the contract cost baseline of $38,880 — about $45 per household — with roughly 6,800 households in the calculation. A commissioner said, "I would actually go higher than what Gene has here. I would go up to like half a mill," arguing the increase would reestablish a roughly 30% target fund balance and avoid larger increases next year when a contract renegotiation is expected.
Staff replied that the board does not need to adopt a millage now and can defer a formal decision until the advertising and tax‑ordinance steps, but asked for direction so staff can advertise a package reflecting the board's preference. The township emphasized that the proposed change is to stabilize the fund ahead of a contract renegotiation that could raise costs.
What’s next: staff will prepare the advertised budget and tax ordinance language reflecting board direction and will revisit the ambulance fund when the board meets to adopt tax rates and the final budget.
