West Vincent supervisors unveil draft 2026 budget, propose major increase in volunteer fire and EMS support

West Vincent Township supervisors introduced a draft 2026 budget that holds property millage at 2.09 mills while proposing substantially larger support for volunteer fire and ambulance providers and no transfer from the general fund to the capital fund.

Manager and finance staff told the board the general fund is balanced in the draft and that the millage would not increase. The budget includes one new full-time police officer, elimination of one full-time administrative position replaced with part-time staff (a move staff said saves about $104,000), and proposed capital purchases: a police vehicle estimated at $81,000 and a public-works tractor and flail mower at $149,000.

But the draft also reflects heavy capital demand. The Buttonwood (Buttonwin) Lane bridge replacement is budgeted at about $2.4 million, with staff expecting roughly $1.9 million to be reimbursed later in the year on a reimbursement basis. Officials warned that the capital fund balance will fall sharply when the township pays contractor invoices and awaits state reimbursement, which is why projected capital interest is lower in the draft.

The most visible change in the draft is an increase in planned contributions to volunteer fire and EMS organizations. Staff said year-to-date township contributions total about $146,000 and the proposed budget would increase that to $433,000; one volunteer provider had requested about $599,000. Residents urged the board to publish a 10-year contribution history and to consider phasing increases rather than a single large jump.

Representatives of local volunteer providers told the board rising regulatory requirements and equipment costs are straining volunteer models. "We are a dying breed," said Jeff Coms, deputy chief at Lowish Corner, describing national and local volunteer shortfalls and the growing cost of compliant apparatus, including trucks costing more than $1 million. Kimberton Fire Company and local ambulance leaders described modest returns from fund drives and subscription programs and warned municipalities may need to increase support to preserve volunteer services.

Supervisors and staff said the increase reflects an attempt to preserve the volunteer response model — which they said saves taxpayers money compared with moving to an all-paid service — and noted the board is reluctant to impose a general tax increase. Several supervisors said they are open to studying a dedicated real-estate EMS/fire millage to create a clearer, earmarked funding stream, but that would require further analysis and public discussion.

Staff recommended more work before finalizing the budget. "We will put together all the line items so you can see what is what by line item," a member of township staff said during the presentation. The board agreed to advertise the draft for public inspection and to hold a workshop to go line by line before any final vote later in the year.

Next steps: the board will advertise the draft for public inspection, hold a workshop to review line items and funding options (including the possibility of a dedicated EMS tax), and return for a vote before the end of the year.