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Warrington supervisors review draft 2025 budget: vehicles, roads, ARPA projects and possible fire‑tax change
Summary
Staff presented a preliminary 2025 budget overview showing $18.3M in general‑fund revenue projections, vehicle replacements, a $1.2M road program, ARPA‑funded DEP projects and discussion of consolidating fire expenses and a potential county‑pilot fire‑tax increase.
Warrington Township staff walked the Board of Supervisors through a draft 2025 budget framework on Oct. 8, outlining proposed spending and revenue estimates across multiple funds and flagging items for additional board direction.
Manager (staff) said the general fund revenue projection for 2025 is about $18.3 million, driven by real‑estate taxes (just under $6 million), earned‑income and local service taxes, and an expected $7.6 million in real‑estate transfer tax. The manager also noted conservative assumptions for revenue given recent volatility in transfer activity.
Key fund highlights presented:
- Vehicle Replacement Fund: deferred server purchase (~$70,000) to 2025; two police vehicle replacements budgeted at $183,500 (Tahoes) plus a public‑works pickup at $78,500; a projected net result of ~$69,100. Supervisors questioned vehicle model choices and resale expectations.
- Liquid Fuels Fund: state estimate ~$718,888 for 2025; proposed allocations include $100,000 for salt, $270,000 for a dump truck (budgeted in 2024 but paid in 2025), $200,000 for contracted snow removal and $140,000 for street lighting; estimated operations result -$143,312.
- Debt Service and Capital Projects: debt‑service mills and schedules presented (~$2.9M projected collections); capital projects noted: keycard system (~$80,000), public‑works roof (~$75,000), King Park resurfacing ($239,000) and pool fence replacement ($37,500); capital projects fund projected -$200,500.
- ARPA Fund and DEP Projects: ARPA balance (~$2.5M) could fund DEP‑required Palomino Farms dam work; manager flagged a local‑share grant opportunity that could cover up to $1 million if applied for; Fire Station 78 schematic and cost estimates are incomplete and the board preferred further discussion before pursuing large grants.
- Fire Fund: currently funded by 2.5 mills for volunteer fire expenses; staff reported possible state pilot legislation allowing select counties to increase fire tax (trial up to 5–10 mills) and recommended the board consider consolidating all fire expenses into a single fund for clearer accounting.
- Utility proceeds and road program: manager proposed a $1.2M paving plan, robotics‑based road evaluation (~$30,000) to optimize mobilization costs, and specific stormwater projects (Village Phase 2, Palomino Glen CMP inspection). Board questioned whether the $1.2M assumption is adequate given recent years’ spending.
Board members asked for more analysis on long‑term debt service projections, clearer inclusion of engineering/architect fees in project totals, and additional photographs, plans or cost estimates before decisions. Staff said it will refine estimates, coordinate with engineers, and return to the board with the requested details.
