Sharpsburg begins 2025 budget planning

Sharpsburg officials have begun planning for next year’s budget.

The timeline for crafting and passing the 2025 spending plan was announced Sept. 26.

It is as follows:

• Oct. 10: Council workshop meeting with heavy emphasis on the budget

• Oct. 16: Special budget meeting

• Oct. 22: Special budget meeting

• Oct. 24: Vote on preliminary budget and advertisement

• Oct. 28: Public display begins

• Nov. 21: Vote to pass the 2025 budget

• Dec. 19: Backup date to pass the budget if necessary

All of those meetings and voting sessions are public. They begin at 6:30 p.m. at the borough building, 1611 Main St.

Financial figures were not available at the September council meeting.

Borough Manager Christine DeRunk it was very early in the process with borough departments and commissions yet to send their plans for next year.

DeRunk and several council members declined to speculate on any real estate tax changes as part of the upcoming budget.

Council voted last November to pass this year’s estimated $5.4 million spending plan and maintained the millage rate at 9.75 mills. Borough sewer rates also remained the same.

DeRunk said the borough has repaid about $367,000 to the general fund from the sewer fund. Money previously was pulled to cover various projects.

The manager said preliminary insurance cost reviews indicate medical, dental and vision premiums as well as unemployment compensation will remain the same for next year.

Interest earnings in borough bank accounts are expected to reach about $40,000 by the end of the year.

DeRunk noted that’s a significant increase from the several hundred dollars generated from accounts in previous years.

The borough is not expected to seek a tax anticipation note, which is a loan municipalities and school districts take out to cover expenses until tax revenue comes in.

Sharpsburg borrowed $200,000 in 2023 but didn’t need to borrow anything this year and won’t for next year either.

“We have done a really great job over the last couple of years holding expenses,” DeRunk said.

A state Department of Community & Economic Development audit of Sharpsburg accounts list the borough’s fund balance, also referred to as savings, at about $3.88 million.

“There’s a lot more good than bad so far,” Councilwoman Sarah Ishman said. “I know we have not seen the budget yet, but I appreciate the highlights.”

In other news

• Council unanimously voted to approve zoning ordinance amendments Sept. 26.

One of the changes was minimum lot depth from 100 feet to 60 feet because there are few lots that big in the borough.

If someone wanted to rehab an empty lot for housing, they would have to request a variance under the old ordinance.

Councilman David Breingan said other changes include revising design standards of fences and correcting private and public parking lot definitions.

Council hosted a public hearing about the changes Sept. 12.

Revisions also were reviewed by the planning commission and Allegheny County.

• Breingan said the next zoning review will focus on minimum parking requirements. Current code requires a minimum of two off-street parking spots per residential property.

“I think that is a challenge, especially developing affordable housing,” Breingan said. “If we are serious about tackling that, that creates a lot of barriers to actually be producing that housing. That is something that I will flag as something we should continue to look at in the future.”

• Mayor Kayla Portis swore in residents Chas Smith, Donna Bishop and Connie Swickrath to four-year terms on the Sharpsburg Historical Commission. The additions fill vacancies and pack the commission’s nine-member panel.

Portis, who also serves on the commission, said the appointees are highly involved in the community.

“They are a great addition,” Portis said. “We already were working together. It’s great to work together at this capacity. It just made sense for us to join forces as one.”

The commission organizes various community events such as Indigenous Heritage Day as well as oral history presentations and the Sharpsburg Sports Hall of Fame.

• Four spots are available on the borough’s parks and recreation commission.

They are four-year volunteer positions. Residents must be at least 18 to participate.

Prospective candidates should submit resumes and letters of interest to the borough office.