Carlisle council sets FY2027 maximum levy at 14.82176 and advances $1.8M GO loan notes

At its March 23 meeting, the Carlisle City Council approved a resolution directing staff to correct the FY2027 maximum levy to 14.82176 and instituted proceedings to pursue up to $1,800,000 in general obligation capital loan notes.

City Administrator Deven Markley updated the council on the FY2027 budget schedule and assumptions, which included a baseline proposal of 3% raises across city staff, a departmental proposal to give department heads a 4% increase (numbers to be finalized and provided by staff), and the use of ARPA funds for certain positions. Markley said the police department had requested a new officer funded via LOSST and described a plan to cover additional departmental requests using utility transfers split 33% from each affected utility.

Council voted unanimously to institute the proceedings for the loan notes following a public hearing during which no members of the public spoke. Council also approved the procedural resolution to set the maximum levy (direction given to correct the amount to 14.82176). Deven Markley said the public hearing and final budget resolution are scheduled for the April 13 meeting, and he will distribute updated spreadsheet figures, including the impact of a 4% department‑head increase if that is adopted.

The council discussed scheduling additional budget workshops and requested that staff provide numerical comparisons for a 4% department‑head increase versus the baseline 3% plan. Deven Markley will send updated numbers to council members and incorporate feedback ahead of the April 13 public hearing.