Pennsburg Council began its deliberations over the 2026 budget on Tuesday with a budget deficit of $32,280. Administrative Manager Lisa Hiltz described the figure as smaller than in most years.

            "It's a good number," she said following Tuesday's workshop meeting that featured budget discussions. "It's very workable."

            The preliminary budget, totaling $3.222 million, includes a $258,000 hole. However, a projected surplus in the current budget could significantly reduce that figure.

            Hiltz told the members that she expects the borough's balance sheet to show $225,740 in savings at the end of the year. According to the administrator, the reasons for the surplus include a higher rate of collected taxes than initially anticipated.

            The work to reduce that deficit will continue through the end of the year. Hiltz said she will meet with the borough's finance committee and each department after they provide their budget requests.

            The Upper Perk Police Department will postpone a plan to hire an eighth officer in 2026, according to Chief Joe Adam. He said that decision would reduce the cost of running the department by between $40,000 and $50,000.

            Municipal officials budgeted to hire the officer this year. However, council deferred the decision.

            "The idea could be re-approached in the future," Adam said after the meeting.

            Residents could end up paying an additional $30 in trash fees. None of the members expressed their opposition to a proposal by Wayne Stevens to raise the annual expense to $350.

            According to Stevens, the additional fees would help cover the cost of the borough's increasing trash contract, including recycling fees. After the meeting, he explained that it would also create a small cushion to cover any potential fees in pursuit of a new contract.

            During the meeting Stevens, who chairs the borough's waste and recycling committee, said he wants to begin the process of creating a new contract immediately after the holidays. Those negotiations might include two neighboring municipalities.

            After the meeting, Stevens confirmed that the new agreement could include Red Hill and East Greenville, since all the contracts for all three municipalities expire at the end of next year. He said Douglas Criddle, the president of East Greenville Council, and Elizabeth DeJesus, Red Hill's manager, have expressed a willingness to discuss the matter.

            Hiltz told council that the municipality would learn if it has been awarded an LSA Grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority in late October. The borough requested funds to purchase two police cars and cover the cost of repairing certain streets.

            Municipal officials agreed to budget $10,000 for parks and recreation. They added an additional $3,000 after Jason Kulp, the borough's roads and maintenance supervisor, suggested purchasing another basketball goal and post for a municipal park. He estimated the cost at $2,500.

            The borough expects to revamp its website next year. The manager estimated the cost at $3,000. Administrators are considering options, according to Hiltz.

            President Patrick Suter directed the members to send any budget questions to Hiltz. Council decided to discuss the same issues during its Oct. 28 workshop meeting.