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Dickinson Township board authorizes 20-day public inspection of proposed 2026 budget; fire-tax fund flagged as unsustainable
Summary
The Board authorized public advertisement of the proposed 2026 operating and capital budgets and a five-year capital plan, while Township Manager Jill Lovett warned the Fire Tax Fund would be nearly depleted unless revenues or policy changes are made.
The Dickinson Township Board of Supervisors on Nov. 5 authorized staff to advertise the proposed 2026 operating and capital budgets and the first year of a five-year Capital Plan for a 20-day public inspection period.
Manager Jill Lovett, Dickinson Township manager, said the proposed General Fund would increase by $244,215 under staff estimates, while the Capital Reserve Fund would decline by $73,500. She said the Liquid Fuels Fund will use $179,754 of fund balance for road maintenance and a Cold Springs Road bridge replacement scheduled in 2026.
Lovett raised particular concern about the Fire Tax Fund, reporting the proposed 2026 budget would draw $35,038 from that fund’s balance and leave it “nearly zero.” She told the Board that continued expenditures exceeding revenues in the Fire Tax Fund are not sustainable without policy changes such as a millage increase or recommendations that may follow the forthcoming Fire & EMS Study by Robb Consulting, expected to be presented in December.
The Park & Recreation Fund is projected to use about $121,000 of fund balance in 2026 as park planning continues, Lovett said. The proposed 2026–2030 Capital Plan lists year-one projects including the Cold Springs Road bridge replacement, a campus stormwater study, and replacement of IT hardware and the township website.
Vice Chairperson Jennifer DeGaetano moved to authorize advertisement of the draft budgets and Capital Plan for at least 20 days; Supervisor Robert "Bob" Line III seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
The advertisement begins the public comment window required before the Board takes a final vote. Staff will record public comments received during the inspection period and return the budget to the Board for final action at a later meeting.
