Union Township votes to advertise 2026 budget, adopts solar ordinance

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The Union Township Board of Supervisors voted Nov. 12 to advertise the 2026 budget, which shows $1,874,550 in total revenues, $1,339,075 in total expenses, and no tax increase.

Of revenues, $99,000 is expected to come from real estate taxes, $785,000 from local taxes, $32,200 from licenses and permits, $25,000 from fines and forfeits, $48,000 from interests, $750,200 from grants and gifts, $121,150 from departmental earnings, and $14,000 from miscellaneous.

General government is the largest portion of expenses, totaling $574,225. Public safety is estimated to cost $340,000, bond obligation/debt is $22,000, public works is $396,700, and culture, recreation, and contributions is $6,150.

These numbers are similar to those in the 2025 budget, which had revenues and expenditures balanced at approximately $1.3 million. The most expensive line items in both budgets are general government, public safety, and public works.

Now that the budget has been advertised, the board can vote to adopt the final budget at its December meeting.

Solar ordinance

Supervisors also voted to adopt the previously advertised ordinance during the meeting. Township manager Brent McFeaters said the zoning officer has received phone calls from solar companies interested in bringing their operations to the area, so they wanted to get something on the books.

“There’s been a lot of interest since the situation got shut down in North Annville. We’ve had numerous calls, and before it takes place, we want to have some say,” McFeaters said. “So with the ordinance, it gives us some teeth, where if we don’t do anything, we have to let it at their discretion.”

Solicitor Paul Bametzreider said the ordinance requires special exceptions from the zoning hearing board for solar facilities in the township. Companies will now be limited to the agricultural or industrial zone.

Solar fields will also need to be a minimum of 350 feet from other properties, except for another agricultural or industrial property line. The ordinance states that the lot size would have to be at least 30 acres, and solar panels cannot exceed 15 feet in height, among other requirements.

In other business, supervisors:

• Approved an M-950AA form, dependent on Burkentine Builders providing a signed and notarized indemnification agreement.
• Authorized Bametzreider to advertise bids for a CPA to conduct the 2025 audit.
• Approved the renewal contract for the treasurer bond with H.A. Co. for $3,030.
• Donated $1,500 to Matthews Public Library.
• Voted to install a “no littering” sign on Ridge Road near Hemlock Hill Lane. They estimated a sign would cost about $50, and the township crew will do the installation.

The Union Township Board of Supervisors will have its next regular monthly meeting at 3111 PA-72 on Dec. 10 after the 6:30 p.m. sewer meeting.