Bridgeville proposes $7.5 million 2026 budget with no property tax increase; council to advertise draft for public review

Mr. Power presented the borough's proposed 2026 budget, saying, "The 2026 budget for all funds combined is $7.5 million." The plan would keep the real estate millage unchanged for a ninth consecutive year while funding a $3.9 million general fund, a $2.3 million sanitary sewer fund, a $687,000 garbage fund and a $438,000 capital improvement fund.

The presentation laid out the principal pressures on next year's budget: Mr. Power identified insurance costs, employee wages and utilities as the main drivers of higher spending, noting those three lines together are increasing by more than $116,000. He said the overall net change in the general fund between the two years is about $89,000 after other cuts and adjustments. "We were fortunate where the proposed budget before you doesn't call for any tax increase," he said.

On personnel costs, Mr. Power noted that the borough matched a 3% across‑the‑board increase tied to existing collective bargaining agreements (2026 is the fifth year of two five‑year CBAs and will be a negotiation year). He also told council the borough faces a projected 13% increase in health insurance costs — about a $43,000 hit — and that overall employee insurance and related costs add roughly $49,000 to next year's budget.

The budget includes continuing investments in infrastructure and services. Mr. Power highlighted a $300,000 road program, capital purchases (including one dump truck and some police equipment), ongoing sanitary sewer maintenance (televising and inspections) and funding increases to local nonprofit providers: a proposed $5,000 increase each for the fire company and the ambulance provider (the borough contribution to EMS would rise to $30,000).

Council members asked for clarifications during the presentation, including requests that the EMS and fire organizations provide financial statements if the borough is increasing direct support. Mr. Delasio, the only public speaker during the posted comment period, told council, "I would like to say thank you to all of you for your service," urging continued transparency and noting he would review the posted budget materials online.

Before the meeting segment closed, a motion to authorize public display and advertisement of the proposed 2026 budget — the procedural step that opens the draft for formal public review prior to adoption — was moved, seconded and approved by council. Mr. Power said the board will take formal adoption votes at the December meeting, including the tax ordinance (no change expected), the budget adoption resolution, sanitary sewage rates and the fee resolution (the only fee change expected is the garbage fee increase tied to the hauling contract).

Next steps: the borough will advertise the proposed budget and post the materials online for public review. If there are no substantive issues raised during the public display period, council will consider adoption of the package in December.