Montgomery Township (Credit: Tony Di Domizio)
Township manager said the proposed amended budget will be made available for public inspection, with adoption scheduled for the board’s Feb. 9 public meeting
Montgomery Township supervisors voted 4-0 Monday night in a virtual-only meeting to authorize advertisement of an amended 2026 budget and a revised fire tax ordinance, advancing both measures toward final adoption next month.
The revised budget reflects a 1 mill real estate tax increase, reallocated across three funds: 0.11 mills to the General Fund, 0.44 mills to the Fire Fund, and 0.45 mills to the Capital Reserve Fund, according to Township Manager Carolyn McCreary.
She said the update also separates capital reserve tax revenue into its own line item rather than listing it as an interfund transfer, and adjusts revenue projections slightly due to a small decline in overall township property valuation. Beginning fund balances were also updated based on the latest year-to-date figures.
Within the Fire Protection Fund, salary and benefit lines now reflect no staffing increase from 2025 levels, though a new expenditure line was added to allow for potential future hires.
McCreary said the proposed amended budget will be made available for public inspection, with adoption scheduled for the board’s Feb. 9 public meeting.
Supervisors also voted unanimously to advertise an amended fire tax ordinance reducing the previously approved fire millage from 1.71 mills to 1 mill. Of that, .44 mills would be newly dedicated to fire services, bringing the total fire-related millage to 1 mill. Township officials estimate that 1 mill will generate about $2,015,000 in real estate tax revenue for fire services in 2026.
The ordinance amendment follows the board’s earlier decision this month to reopen the 2026 budget and reconsider how fire service funding, capital reserves, and overall financial planning are structured. Under the Second Class Township Code, the township is authorized to levy taxes for fire protection, including funding for apparatus, facilities, training, and, in some cases, firefighter salaries and benefits.
Both the amended budget and fire tax ordinance must be publicly advertised before final votes can occur. If adopted on Feb. 9, the changes would formally set the township’s revised tax structure and spending plan for 2026.
Supervisor Candyce Chimera was absent from the virtual meeting.
