Budget Workshop
Summary
The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held a Budget Workshop on October 21, 2024, called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Chairman Kenneth Bechtel. All five supervisors were present — Kenneth Bechtel, Brad Bruner, Scott McBurney, Steve Schreffler, and Randy Paul — along with Roadmaster Matt Roland and Secretary Sara Glace. The nearly two-and-a-half-hour workshop focused entirely on 2025 planning, with no formal votes taken; a follow-up budget workshop was scheduled for October 28.
- 2025 Budget line-by-line review: The board worked through the proposed 2025 budget covering both income and expenses. No adoption vote was held; the review will continue at future workshops before final approval.
- EMS tax to support HAARA: Supervisors discussed creating a dedicated tax to keep the Halifax Area Ambulance and Rescue Volunteer Relief Association (HAARA) from shutting down. Under state law (53 P.S. § 68205), second-class townships may levy a real-estate-based tax of up to one-half mill for emergency services — with up to half the revenue usable for employee salaries and benefits — but any rate above one-half mill must go to a voter referendum. No per capita tax is permitted. No action was taken.
- Supervisor pay under Act 94 of 2024: The board reviewed recently enacted state legislation that increases supervisor compensation. Pay changes take effect only upon re-election to a new term or when a newly elected supervisor takes office, not immediately for sitting supervisors.
- 2025 fee schedule: Supervisors reviewed proposed updates to fees covering permits, stormwater management plans, subdivision and land development plans, and miscellaneous items. No formal action was taken.
Who was there
Kenneth Bechtel (Chairman/Supervisor) · Brad Bruner (Supervisor) · Scott McBurney (Supervisor) · Steve Schreffler (Supervisor) · Randy Paul (Supervisor) · Matt Roland (Roadmaster) · Sara Glace (Secretary)
Meeting business
NEW BUSINESS
The Board of Supervisors reviewed the proposed 2025 budget line item by line item, covering both income and expenses.
The Board discussed ways to financially support the Halifax Area Ambulance and Rescue Volunteer Relief Association (HAARA) to prevent it from ceasing operations. Per State Law PA ST 53 P.S. § 68205, second-class townships may levy an annual tax up to one-half mill to support ambulance, rescue, and other emergency services, with up to half the revenue usable for employee salaries and benefits; any tax above one-half mill must be submitted to voters.
The Board discussed Act 94 of 2024, a recently enacted law that increases supervisor pay. Pay changes take effect upon re-election to a new term; if a supervisor does not run again or loses, the new pay rate applies to the newly elected supervisor.
The Board reviewed the 2025 fee schedule, which covers permits, stormwater management plans, subdivision and land development plans, and miscellaneous items.
ADJOURNMENT
Supervisor Bruner motioned and Supervisor Schreffler seconded to adjourn the meeting at 9:20 p.m. Motion carried 5-0.
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