East Buffalo Township faces nearly $1 million budget deficit

LEWISBURG — Early projections for the 2026 budget for East Buffalo Township show a nearly $1 million deficit.

At Monday night’s public meeting, the supervisors stated that a 0.03-mill increase is expected for the lights and fire hydrant services, but it’s too early to say how the $955,000 deficit will be filled. The supervisors have not yet voted on a preliminary budget.

“Expenses are going to be higher than revenue,” Supervisor Chair James Knight said. “We’re going to have to make a decision whether we continue to spend down our reserve or if we do an increase (in taxes).”

The proposed tax for lights would increase from .05 to .07 mills and the proposed tax for water would increase from .06 to .07 mills. The other tax levy is as follows: 3.7 mills for the general fund and .75 mills for fire department, according to township Manager Jolene Helwig.

A single mill generates an estimated $500,000 in revenue for the township, the supervisors said.

“It’s not final by any means. We’ll have better numbers in November,” Knight said.

The supervisors approved the township’s health insurance for United Concordia at a cost of $256,867, an increase of 1.95 percent. They also agreed to maintain the employee contribution of 7 percent toward premiums.

The supervisors are also considering a $250,000 proposal from Herbert Rowland & Grubic Inc., of Harrisburg, to manage the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program application from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The proposal includes Kittelson & Associates Inc., of Harrisburg, as the transportation engineering and planning consulting firm.

The grant is $200,000 with a matching contribution of $50,000 from the township, Knight said.

HRG’s management costs are $47,235 and Kittelson’s fee is $94,947, Knight said.

The goal is to develop a comprehensive action plan to improve safety related to transportation throughout the township, Knight said.

The supervisors questioned the costs and asked Lori Morgan, of HRG, to come back with some answers. The supervisors tabled the contract until another meeting.

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