North Lebanon Township passes 2026 budget, no tax increase

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

North Lebanon Township Board of Supervisors unanimously agreed to pass the drafted 2026 budget at its monthly meeting Monday.

Supervisors also unanimously agreed to set tax rates, with no increases for the new year, at 1.59 mills for the general purpose tax, .42 mills for fire protection, .5% for earned income tax, $52 per person for the local services tax, and a streetlight tax of 51 cents per foot for properties within 250 feet of a streetlight.

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

Supervisor Gary Heisey emphasized that the budget also includes a $132,000 surplus, in addition to no tax increases.

The budget was passed with minor adjustments, such as the inclusion of negotiation costs with Verizon, which is looking to franchise in the township. Supervisors unanimously agreed to engage Cohen Law Group as solicitor for these negotiations at $7,938.

Following a public hearing, supervisors also unanimously agreed to pass a resolution adopting the newly drafted Cornwall-Lebanon Regional Comprehensive Plan.

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

The plan, which is also up for adoption by Cornwall Borough and North Cornwall, South Lebanon, and West Cornwall townships, is an advisory document recommending priorities for involved municipalities. It is separate to the countywide comprehensive plan, which is now under development.

Read More: Lebanon County officials to seek public input on new comprehensive plan

Though the plan is named for the Cornwall-Lebanon School District (which is shared between involved municipalities), it does not primarily concern education. Instead, it discusses development and resident needs, setting priorities including enhancing water management, protecting farmland, planning sustainable physical infrastructure, and fostering housing options.

A resident voiced concern with the plan’s rezoning recommendations, such as changing 133 acres on 1509-1711 Jay St. from agriculture to low-density residential.

In October, GFT senior project manager Michelle Brummer said the plan recommended rezoning certain areas both to create more cohesion (i.e. properties matching zoning with nearby plots) and satisfy the Fair Share Doctrine, which requires zoning ordinances to include developable land for every type of use.

Solicitor Amy Leonard noted that the plan is only advisory and accepting it does not make any changes to township zoning, though said she had not been involved in the plan’s development.

Township manager Lori Books said the plan has been in development for several years and was created largely based on feedback from residents of participating municipalities. However, she said, the meetings received few attendees.

In other news, supervisors:

• Unanimously approved, with regrets, the resignation of John Brenner effective Nov. 13. Chairman Ed Brensinger said code enforcement officer Brenner had done a good job at low cost, and was tenacious but willing to work with property owners.
• Unanimously approved a second payment to Allgyer Enterprises for the Jay Street Wall Project as well as a second change order, with total costs now estimated at $281,975. Supervisors also unanimously approved an April 20 finish date for the project.
• Unanimously agreed to apply for a PA Realtors grant for $7,500 to pay for part of the Lion’s Lake walking path project.
• Unanimously authorized the solicitor to advertise an ordinance concerning employee 457b pension plans, which Leonard noted does not apply to any township employees but is required by the federal government.
• Unanimously passed a resolution accepting pension obligations.
• Unanimously approved an updated agreement with Flexopack allowing the developer an additional two years to complete site improvements (extended from the original two years granted due to challenges faced by the international company).
• Unanimously agreed to accept the financial security from Manor View Estates, having previously approved its land development plan contingent on financial security receipt.
• Unanimously agreed to a resolution altering the Right to Know law to account for a changed Office of Open Records address.
• Unanimously approved a 50-cent raise (already promised) for employee Bradyn Aurentz following his receipt of a pesticide license.
• Unanimously approved a time extension for Estates at Hearthside.
• Heard from a resident concerning a code enforcement notice and $717 in accrued fines due to an uninspected vehicle parked in the front yard. Supervisors did not take action on this matter.
• Unanimously approved 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.