South Londonderry Township approves 2026 budget with no tax increase

This article was funded by LebTown donors as part of our Civic Impact Reporting Project.

The South Londonderry Township Board of Supervisors approved its 2026 budget at its Dec. 9 meeting with a steady local tax rate of 1.33 mills.

The general fund budget anticipates $3,914,090 in income and $4,156,700 in revenue, with the township’s available funds covering the gap.

Read More: South Londonderry supervisors advertise 2026 budget with no tax increase

Board chair Faith Bucks previously told LebTown that projected costs are not increasing in the township, which is why there will not be a tax increase. A supervisor for the past 10 years, she added that no tax increases have occurred within the municipality since she’s been elected to the board.

Township manager John Eberly said the township has “very strong fund reserves” that are able to help cover this year’s $242,610 shortfall.

“One of the things you do is you be prepared for things and make sure that you adapt,” he said after the meeting. “Some years, maybe you’re a little short, sometimes put some money aside — the key is looking at how much money you have in the bank to pay the bills.”

Eberly said no changes were made to the advertised draft budget before approval.

The township expects to bring in $1,001,000 in current-year real estate taxes and $20,000 in delinquent property taxes. The budget estimates $2,100,000 in local enabling, with $1,800,000 of that coming from earned income taxes. 

Also, $110,600 will come from licenses, $24,000 from fines, $76,000 from interest and rents, $138,900 from public safety, $297,175 from intergovernmental revenue, $49,100 from charges for services, $4,000 from contributions, $10,815 from other services, and $82,500 from refunds.

The budget in its entirety is available below.

In other business, supervisors:

• Approved a memorandum of understanding with South Londonderry Township Police so the department can hire an officer before they complete their academy training. Eberly said this gives them a competitive advantage in hiring.
• Passed resolutions for the street light assessment, fee schedule, and tax schedule for 2026, which keep all rates consistent.
• Appointed Garcia, Garman & Shea PC of Lebanon as the township’s certified public accounting firm for $11,075. This is an increase of about $200 from last year.
• Accepted Corey Andrew’s resignation from the municipal authority. He submitted his resignation because he is now serving on the Palmyra Area school board.  

The South Londonderry Township Board of Supervisors will have its reorganization and regular meeting at 27 W. Market St. on Jan. 5 at 7 p.m.