North Lebanon Twp. approves advertising 2026 budget with no tax increase

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The North Lebanon Township Board of Supervisors unanimously agreed to advertise the draft budget for 2026, no tax increases planned, at its monthly meeting Monday.

Taxes, under the new budget, remain at 2.01 mills, with 1.59 in general millage and .42 in fire protection tax funds. The streetlight tax remains at $0.51 per front footage.

Revenues are expected to total $5,353,590, a slight increase from last year’s total of $5,281,111.

End-of-year balance of the general fund is expected to be $4,216,473 as opposed to this year’s estimate of $5,245,832. Township manager Lori Books explained that this is due to a $1,000,000 interfund transfer, which the township does every few years.

In capital improvement, the township plans to spend $200,000 on land acquisition and $82,442 in building improvements (replacing the remainder of the main building’s flooring and replacing the Keri Door System).

The police department, which makes up 46% of the township’s budget, sees $2,421,302 in budgeted funds, a 1.33% increase from last year. North Cornwall Township, which shares the newly-merged Lebanon County Regional Police Department, noted that officers received a 3% salary increase during a budget meeting last month.

Read More: North Cornwall Twp. supervisors continue 2026 budget review

New liquid fuels funds, which are granted from the state annually for roadwork, total $408,748, which add up with cash on hand and interest to $1,363,048. $642,126 is planned for liquid fuels expenses, with the township planning to pave Heffelfinger Road from Morrissey Drive to Route 343 and Morrissey Drive from Mount Zion Road to the township line, and oil and chip Halfway Drive from Route 422 to the township line and Emma Road from Elias Avenue to the township line.

In addition to a variety of routine tool replacements, the township hopes to receive a Local Share Account grant to purchase a JD 410P Backhoe.

The township also unanimously agreed to apply for a $25,000 Marcellus Shale Grant to renovate the Lions Lake Park walking path. The project cost is estimated at $84,780.25, some of which the township plans to offset with township labor and equipment.

This, Books explained, is an upgrade initially planned for this year’s project at the park but was ultimately shelved due to cost.

Read More: Lions Lake restoration project complete (July)

Following Books’ presentation on the budget, township supervisor Gary Heisey thanked Books for her budget presentation and added that the 2026 budget includes a surplus.

“And for the residents, if you look at that, we have a surplus this year, and that’s not a mistake,” said Heisey. “That’s from hard work in the office, road crew guys, saving every penny we can here so we don’t have to raise taxes on our residents.”

The budget will be voted on during the supervisors’ Dec. 15 meeting. In the meantime, the budget will be available for review at the township building.

Also up for discussion at that meeting is the Cornwall-Lebanon Regional Comprehensive Plan draft, on which the township will be seeking feedback prior to adoption.

Read More: Five municipalities advance regional development plan for Cornwall-Lebanon

In other news, supervisors:

• Unanimously approved an application for $1,000,000 in LSA funds for replacement or repair work (depending on amount award) for the bridges on Emma Road and Long Lane.
• Heard an annual presentation on MS-4, with more information on stormwater safety available on the township’s website.
• Approved a subdivision plan moving a strip of trees from the property of Dorothy Kern to the property of Tyler and Kaitlin Snook, with no new construction planned. Supervisor Ardy Snook abstained as Tyler is his son.
• Heard from a resident asking about the polling station for the Eastern District of the township. This year, the polling station was Oasis Christian Fellowship, but the township anticipates polling at the Kimmerlings Grange next year unless an agreement is reached with the church.
• Heard that the Jay Street Wall project should be completed soon, with all materials having arrived.
• Unanimously approved meeting dates for 2026, with supervisors meeting the third Monday of every month except April.
• Unanimously approved a winter maintenance agreement with Mapledale Estates for Dream Drive and Dairy Drive.
• Unanimously approved an investment policy statement for the non-union employee’s pension plan.
• Tabled action on accepting the Manor Veiw Estates financial security.
• Unanimously agreed to release $30,000 from the capital reserve for Rural Security Fire Company, a routine occurrence.
• Heard from supervisor Snook, who said he looked forward to serving another term following his reelection Nov. 3.
• Heard and approved various minutes and reports.

North Lebanon Township meets the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. These meetings are open to the public and do not require prior registration.