Union Township approves 2026 budget with steady tax rate

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The Union Township Board of Supervisors on Dec. 10 approved its 2026 budget, which will maintain a steady tax rate of 0.2291 mills. Township manager Brent McFeaters said the township hasn’t raised taxes in at least 20 years.

The final budget includes the same numbers outlined in the advertised budget.

The general fund shows $1,874,550 in anticipated revenues and $1,339,075 in anticipated expenses. Of the revenue, $99,000 is from real estate taxes, $785,000 is from local taxes, $32,200 is from licenses and permits, $25,000 is from fines and forfeits, $48,000 is from interests, $750,200 is from grants and gifts, $121,150 is from departmental earnings, and $14,000 is from miscellaneous sources.

Read More: Union Township votes to advertise 2026 budget, adopts solar ordinance

McFeaters said the township is handling rising costs throughout the economy without raising taxes thanks to the area’s warehouses. There are several businesses that will see increasing tax percentages until they are up to the full 100% they owe.

“As the LERTAs [Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance] progress, we get more income from that, and we’re fortunate,” he said. “And with our road surface, we try to project by the liquid fuel funds we get, so that’s not running out.”

As for expenses, $574,225 will go to general government, $340,000 to public safety, $22,000 to bond obligation or debt, $396,700 to public works, and $6,150 to culture, recreation, and contributions.

McFeaters said the township will pave two roads in 2026 — Campmeeting and Green Point School roads. They will go out to bid early in the year to try to get better rates before companies fill their schedules.

McFeaters said they try to pay for their paving projects entirely out of their liquid fuels fund. Since the township didn’t pave any roads in 2025, they have two years of liquid fuels money to work with.

The approved budget can be found in its entirety below.

In other business, supervisors:

• Presented supervisor Dennis Firestone, who served the township for 20 years, with a plaque thanking him for his service.
• Approved a letter of credit, agreements, and stormwater management plan for 19 Huckleberry Road. They also approved two time extensions for another stormwater management plan and a preliminary/final land development plan.
• Voted to release $300,000 in escrow for a red light at the intersection of state Route 72 and Bordnersville Road.
• Passed resolutions to keep the fire hydrant tax and the general purposes and street light tax consistent in 2026.
• Ratified a purchase of four tires for the recycling truck for $1,725.58.
• Approved the 2026 C.M. High Preventive Maintenance Agreement for $1,758. This is $33 higher than the 2025 agreement price.
• Approved the 2026 meeting schedule. Meetings will still be on the second Wednesday of each month, starting at 6:30 p.m., though the November meeting will be on the second Tuesday instead. Rather than having two separate sewer and supervisor meetings, they will be combined into one meeting.
• Approved a quote from Monarch to make three reinforced concrete inlet boxes for $4,348. McFeaters said two boxes will be for Ridge Road and Campmeeting Road, and the third will be on standby for future needs.

The Union Township Board of Supervisors will have a reorganization meeting at 3111 PA-72 on Jan. 5 at 1 p.m. The next regular monthly meeting will take place on Jan. 14 at 6:30 p.m.