Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Narberth committee: strong tax collections but storm overtime and police vehicle loss may push budget changes
Summary
The Finance Administration Committee heard a treasurer's report showing about 98% real-estate tax collections and a reduced capital outlay projection, but staff flagged growing public-works and police overtime after repeated weekend storms and reported a police vehicle likely lost to flood damage; an insurance claim is pending.
The Narberth Borough Finance Administration Committee heard a treasurer's report on July 14 that W. Meg Dobbs said showed strong revenue collections but emerging storm-driven costs that may require budget adjustments. "You can see...just over 98% of our collections for our real estate taxes," Dobbs said, adding that earned-income and business privilege taxes remain on a rolling basis.
Dobbs told the committee that, despite tight year-to-date expenditures, repeated weekend storms have driven spikes in public-works and police overtime and that the borough may need to consider a budget modification if those overages continue. She said the borough’s capital spending projection has fallen from roughly $900,000 to an estimated $550,000–$600,000 after securing a grant for Elmwood Avenue work and realizing savings on a Grayling Avenue sewer repair.
The manager also reported storm-related damage to the Elmwood Avenue pedestrian bridge — currently blocked by a downed tree — and said borough engineers will inspect it for structural stability before determining whether temporary closure is necessary. On fleet matters, Dobbs said a police vehicle that was caught in flooding near Haverford Avenue is expected to be a total loss; an insurance claim has been filed and an adjuster was scheduled to inspect the vehicle. "If it's covered by our insurance, then we'll get some compensation for that," she said, but she cautioned the borough will be down a vehicle until a replacement is acquired and outfitted.
Committee members pressed staff on replacement timing and insurance coverage; Dobbs said the vehicle was planned for replacement in 2027 and that proceeds from any insurance settlement would offset replacement costs, though the borough could accelerate procurement if needed.
The committee did not take a formal vote on budget changes at the meeting; staff said they will return with updated numbers and any recommended amendments as part of the budget process.
The committee is scheduled to continue related budget and capital-plan discussion at the next meeting and to present a fuller capital improvement update to the council on Thursday.
