Silver Spring Township Authority unveils balanced $5.01M operating budget and $3.6M capital plan; workshop set for Nov. 6

James Stevens, Authority manager, presented the Silver Spring Township Authority’s first draft of the 2026 operating and capital budgets at the board’s Oct. 15 meeting.

The proposed operating budget is balanced at $5,010,750, Stevens said. The capital budget presented to the board totals $3,626,392 and lists projects including an upgrade to the Walden pump station, construction of a maintenance garage at the wastewater treatment plant, and wearing-course placement on road surfaces in the North I‑81 Sewer Extension project area.

Stevens also referenced a project-cost memo showing detailed contract values and projected capital outlays; that memo includes a slightly higher projection of $3,791,392.21 when certain known contract balances and equipment purchases are included. The memo itemizes contract amounts for garage general, electrical and mechanical work, Walden pump station general and electrical work, and projected equipment purchases such as a John Deere 326P loader estimated at roughly $160,000 if the invoice is received and processed in October.

The board set a budget workshop for 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, at the treatment plant to review the draft and related capital financing questions. The workshop will give staff time to reconcile contract balances, finalize projected equipment invoices, and review potential obligations related to Mechanicsburg and Carlisle capital projects that may affect the Authority’s cash flow.

Why it matters: The capital program funds core wastewater infrastructure and short-term construction obligations in the Authority’s service area. Members flagged timing constraints on specific projects—notably the Church Road sewer extension, which the engineer said must be completed in 2026 ahead of a 2027 road resurfacing by Mechanicsburg Borough—making schedule and financing coordination a priority.

Next steps: Staff will refine project cost projections ahead of the Nov. 6 workshop and present any updated vendor invoices, contract change orders, or funding recommendations to the board for action.