Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget Amendment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Lancaster council adopts two budget ordinances, including $5,200 for electronic W-2 filing and $22,000 for transfer-station compliance
Summary
On second reading the council approved Ordinance 25-15 (FY24-25 cleanup) and Ordinance 25-16 (FY25-26 amendments). Finance staff described three adjustments to the FY25-26 budget: $5,200 for mandatory electronic W‑2 filing, $6,500 for utility-billing overtime and $22,000 for a transfer‑station stormwater prevention plan; council approved both ordinances.
The Lancaster City Council approved two budget ordinances on second reading, adopting housekeeping adjustments for the current fiscal year and targeted changes for the 2025–26 operating budget.
Mister Absher told the council there were no changes to Ordinance 25-15 from the first reading; the council heard no further discussion and approved the ordinance. For Ordinance 25-16, Absher described three specific, budget-neutral changes for the next fiscal year: an added $5,200 to cover a new IRS requirement to file W‑2s electronically, a $6,500 increase to the utility-billing overtime line to cover staffing shortages and increased mailing/processing needs, and $22,000 to update the transfer-station’s stormwater pollution-prevention plan required by a consent order.
On the W‑2 change, Absher said the IRS eliminated the option to file paper forms and “it's $5,200” to contract with a vendor to handle electronic filing and distribution. He explained the overtime increase reflected current staffing gaps in utility billing and the need to print and mail set-off-debt notices. On solid waste, Absher described the required transfer-station work and said $22,000 was shifted from a capital line to update compliance policies and planning; he noted a larger, already-budgeted $125,000 transfer-station project remains in place.
Councilmembers moved and seconded the measures on the floor and approved both ordinances on roll call. The council emphasized continuing monitoring of budget lines and the potential for a midyear adjustment if needed.
