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Council adopts 2025 municipal budget with no municipal tax‑rate increase
Summary
The borough council voted to adopt the 2025 municipal budget after a public hearing. Officials said the municipal tax rate will remain flat for the fourth straight year; one‑time proceeds from the sale of a former Audi dealership increased available revenue and were used to reduce debt service and fund capital projects.
The borough council adopted the 2025 municipal budget by roll‑call vote after a public hearing that included several resident questions about year‑over‑year spending.
In a presentation before the hearing, a council member leading the finance committee said the municipal tax rate will stay flat for the fourth consecutive year and described the budget’s main pressures: rising health‑benefit costs, contractual salary increases, utilities and liability insurance. The presenter said the borough increased use of cash for capital purchases to reduce new debt service and that a one‑time revenue gain from the recent sale of a former Audi dealership materially boosted 2025 revenues.
During the public hearing a resident questioned a multi‑year increase in local appropriations; council members and the CFO responded that the Audi sale produced a $1.4‑plus million increase in “other revenue” this year and that, after removing that one‑time item, the year‑to‑year municipal spending change is more modest. The CFO supplied multi‑year percentage comparisons to place the increase in context.
The presentation also outlined capital and operating priorities: investments in public safety (ambulance replacement, police SUVs, ballistic vests, upgraded radios and body‑worn cameras), full funding for the library request, road mill‑and‑pave projects, and building and IT repairs. Officials said about 57% of appropriations are for services the borough is required to provide and that discretionary spending represents roughly 4% of the municipal budget.
After questions from residents about road selection and budget detail, the council moved and adopted resolution 25‑73B to approve the 2025 municipal budget. A roll‑call recorded affirmative votes from the members present; the budget will be posted online with a user‑friendly presentation for residents.
The council noted that the municipal tax rate is only one component of total property tax bills, which also include county and school levies.
