2025 budget updates
“In putting together a municipal budget like this there is only two ways you can generate money,” Campbell said. “Cut services or raise taxes.”
The borough chose the former. Budgets for building materials and supplies were cut to compensate for health care insurance for borough employees. Campbell said this year only 30% of the monthly budget for building materials and supplies was used. The budget was cut from $12,000 to $8,557.84 to achieve a balance without raising taxes or cuts in services.
Campbell said minor adjustments can be made to the budget if they do not exceed a 10% increase or a 25% modification for any line item.
A motion was passed unanimously, with one absent councilperson, to advertise the 2025 General Operating Budget.
Although the budget will be advertised, it is subject to change if consistent with the percentage modifications.
“I think there are about $7,000 worth of things we might be able to trim for this,” Mayor Jondavid Longo said, echoing the changes still needed for the budget.
The new insurance policy will be a health maintenance organization through UPMC, according to Campbell.
Memorial Park and beautification grant
NexTier Bank was informed about a potential grant opportunity provided by the Butler County Leadership Program. The beautification program would make improvements to Memorial Park.
The downtown revitalization grant is worth $25,000. $5,000 would go towards perennial plants, $10,000 for the park and $10,000 for installing outdoor audio equipment.
An application was submitted, but the grant has yet to be received.
Primary objectives of the project are to improve the aesthetics of downtown, transform the memorial park into a welcoming greenspace that offers relaxation recreation and community gatherings, and install outdoor audio equipment to enhance community events and create an embodying atmosphere for residents and visitors alike, according to Borough President Jeff Campbell.
Councilwoman Jennifer Ravert praised the over 200 college students from SRU Greek Life showed up to the tulip planting at Memorial Park on October 26. In addition to planting tulips in Memorial Park, Ravert said another group walked around the borough rounding up garbage for the Rotary Highway Project Cleanup associated with Slippery Rock Township.
“It was amazing to see that,” she said. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen college student groups around town cleaning up.”
NexTier Bank proposal committee
The borough council formed a committee to evaluate the possible purchase of a new borough property through NexTier Bank.
“We believe it would that it’d be beneficial to establish a committee to engage with representative from Nextier Bank to advance this discussion focusing on expectations, timelines, financial figures, building evaluation cost, as well as loan information,” Campbell said.
