Sharpsburg property owners will not have to pay more in real estate taxes to balance the borough’s budget next year.
Council unanimously voted to pass its 2026 spending plan on Nov. 20.
It maintains the tax rate at 9.75 mills, including the 0.5-mill emergency services tax.
General fund proposed revenues and expenses were listed at about $3.77 million.
Projected income includes about $1.37 million in real estate taxes, $900,000 in Act 511 taxes, including earned income and business privilege taxes; $107,000 in state grants, $73,000 in licenses and permits, $35,700 in parking, including fines and EV charging; and $32,500 in fines and forfeitures.
Proposed spending includes about $1.16 million for police, $169,000 for fire protection, $142,000 for code enforcement, $137,000 for borough manager including salary and benefits, $172,500 for office including other administrative salaries and benefits, office supplies and equipment, $69,500 for recreation, $60,000 for solicitor/legal services, $58,000 for accounting, $54,600 for council including salaries, dues and subscriptions, meetings and conferences, $40,000 for engineering services, $25,600 for tax collection, $10,000 for EMS, $1,900 for the mayor including salaries, dues and subscriptions, meetings and conferences.
“The 2026 budget provides a financially sustainable spending plan that prepares the borough to adjust to uncertainty and economic pressures,” borough manager Christine DeRunk wrote as part of a budget presentation posted on the borough website.
“Staff members continue to promote a culture of fiscal responsibility so that high-quality service levels can be preserved while continuing to operate within the financial means of our tax base.”
State law requires municipalities to adopt their budget and set tax rates by Dec. 31.
However, Sharpsburg officials have regularly been able to get things done a month earlier.
“We always start the budget process early so that we’re giving ourselves enough time to have multiple opportunities for discussion, work through any challenges, and conduct our due diligence,” Councilman Dave Breingan said via email on Dec. 4. “Fortunately, this year was a very smooth budget process, thanks to careful work over the past couple years by the borough to manage expenses, leverage grants and establish a capital budget, so we were able to pass the budget early.”
Breingan credits DeRunk for “making miracles happen with limited resources and staffing and a lot of aging infrastructure.”
Councilwoman Sarah Ishman said one of the major accounting moves was creating a capital reserve fund and moving major projects out of the general fund.
“We are using our general fund for everyday things, and we’re not using it for special one-off projects like paving or redoing a park or things like that,” Ishman said on Nov. 20. “That’s all coming out of the capital fund, and we’ll have to make sure to keep replenishing the capital fund so that we can keep doing projects like that.
“It makes our budget a more accurate picture of our day-to-day operations, and I think that’s a really nice sign of progress and how far we’ve come in the last for years. Among other things, you know, it’s balanced. We’re also able to find a good amount of budget for the bicentennial celebration next year, which is really exciting.”
The borough budgeted $50,000 for bicentennial events next year. The borough’s parks and recreation commission is planning those activities.
Southern Allegheny Valley Emergency Services’ contribution was listed at $170,000, including $40,000 toward a new truck.
Capital purchases planned for next year include police body cameras and tasers, a new public works truck, park upgrades to the 16th Street basketball court, pavilion, splash pad and fencing, catch basin replacement, Americans with Disabilities Act compliant ramps, street paving and security cameras.
“It’s all good in my eyes,” Ishman said.