Swatara Township supervisors approve 2026 budget with steady millage rate

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The Swatara Township Board of Supervisors voted to approve its 2026 budget, which will keep the tax rate consistent at 1.35 mills.

There were no further changes from the budget advertised after the November meeting.

Read More: Swatara Township advertises 2026 budget with no tax increase

The budget shows $1,664,850 in anticipated income and $1,893,176 in anticipated expenditures. With $1,923,000 in cash available to carry into the new year, the township will have $3,587,850 available in total.

“We had a little bit of a negative operating expense, but as long as we have reserves to cover it, that’s a balanced budget,” supervisor Dean Patches said.

Real property taxes and Act 511 taxes will bring in the most money — $460,500 and $914,400, respectively. $40,200 will come from licenses and permits, $10,300 from fines, $53,000 from interest, $43,600 from intergovernment revenues, $133,250 from charges for services, and $9,600 from refunds and discounts taken.

For expenses, the largest portions will go toward the general government and public works, which will see $553,371 and $617,862, respectively. Also, $241,475 will go toward public safety, $82,200 to health and human services, $10,350 to stormwater management, $21,725 to culture and recreation, $3,000 to natural resources open spaces, $334,193 to employer-paid benefits and withholding, and $29,000 to interfund operating transfers.

Supervisor Rick Kreitzer said the township managed to keep its costs steady because there aren’t any major equipment purchases planned for 2026.

“We have a new tractor order, but that’s in last year’s budget yet, so other than that, there’s no new equipment ordered,” he said.

The final 2026 general fund budget is available in its entirety below.

2026 meeting dates

Supervisors also approved the 2026 meeting dates. All board meetings will start at 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted, at the Swatara Township Municipal Building, 68 Supervisors Drive, Jonestown.

• Jan. 5 (8:30 a.m.)
• Feb. 12
• March 12
• April 9
• May 14
• June 11
• July 9
• Aug. 13
• Sept. 10
• Oct. 8
• Nov. 12
• Dec. 10
• Dec. 30 (8:30 a.m., if needed)

In other business, supervisors:

• Approved subdivision plan waiver requests for 6 Teaberry Lane, then approved the plan. The action was recommended by the planning commission.
• Approve the John Light Family Ag Operation waiver requests, as recommended by the planning commission.
• Appointed Adam Harmon to the NLCA and Rebecca Leffler as an alternate on the zoning hearing board.

The Swatara Township Board of Supervisors will have its reorganization and next regular meeting at 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 5 at 68 Supervisors Drive.