Gettysburg Borough Council voted Monday, Nov. 9, to advertise its proposed 2027 budget and prepare a tax resolution that would keep the borough’s property tax rate unchanged. Council also approved a $230,584.92 contract to repair the East Water Street bridge and gave conditional approval for a splash pad at Gettysburg Recreation Park.
The proposed budget will be available for public inspection from Nov. 30 through the close of business Dec. 14. Council plans to consider adoption at its Dec. 14 meeting, along with separate resolutions setting tax rates and fees for licenses, permits and municipal services.
The proposed real estate tax rate is 4.7702 mills. The resolution would also set the occupation tax rate at 30 mills and the fire protection tax rate at 0.5 mills. Council President Matthew Moon credited borough staff with developing what he called a “balanced and effective budget that not only meets our priorities but also respects the current economic reality.”
Borough Manager Charles Gable reported that the general fund was running a year-to-date deficit of about $187,000. He said the borough was still waiting for just over $200,000 in state pension aid, which he expected would offset the shortfall.
Bridge repairs expected in spring
Council awarded the East Water Street bridge repair contract to Crilon Corp., the lowest qualified bidder. Borough Engineer Chad Clabaugh said the borough received four bids and that Crilon’s came in below the engineering estimate of $254,983. He said construction would likely begin in spring 2027 because of the time needed to obtain steel beams.
Clabaugh also said a contractor hopes to begin work on curb ramps this fall, with paving work to follow in the spring. He said the ramp work would require no street closures and would pause during the week of Nov. 16 and on the Thursday and Friday of the Gettysburg Christmas Festival.
Splash pad moves forward
Council gave the Gettysburg Area Recreation Authority permission to install a splash pad at the rec park if the authority secures funding. The borough owns the park and leases it to the authority, which needs the borough’s approval to make improvements. Council authorized Gable to send a letter confirming that approval.
Gable said a splash pad has long been part of the park’s master plan. Council members discussed how the authority would pay to operate the facility over time and whether it might seek borough funding in a future budget. Monday’s vote committed no borough funding to the project.
Christmas festival parking and other business
Council set a temporary $18 daily rate at the Racehorse Alley Parking Garage for Saturday, Dec. 5, during A Gettysburg Christmas Festival. Gable said the rate would apply regardless of when drivers enter the garage that day. Jill Sellers of Main Street Gettysburg said the festival will introduce a mobile app with a map to help visitors find events.
Council approved seven Historic Architectural Review Board recommendations, including exterior renovations at La Bella Italia on York Street. In a separate vote, it approved a stormwater maintenance agreement for the restaurant’s outdoor dining addition, pending Clabaugh’s final approval of the stormwater plan.
Public Works Director Robert Harbaugh said leaf collection will continue through the end of the year. He asked residents to place leaves along the top of the curb or at the edge of alleys, keeping them out of the street and separating them from brush, which can clog the collection equipment.