Gettysburg Borough Council looks to increase taxes

Gettysburg Borough Council is poised to propose a 4.39% tax increase. The council reached a conclusion near the end of its third budget workshop on Monday, which one person attended.

Members agreed a 0.2 mill tax increase is more palatable than last year’s 0.4 mill increase. One mill equals $1 of tax for every $1,000 of a property’s assessed value. 

The meeting was livestreamed on Community Media but the borough did not provide documents online after repeated requests.

During the budget workshop, council unanimously consented that $100,000 should be allocated to support the borough’s re-enactment of President Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 arrival in Gettysburg on Nov. 19, 2026 in conjunction with the 250th anniversary of America’s founding in 1976. The request will fund America250 flags, American flags, generators, a stage with lighting and sound, restrooms, table and chair rentals, and security needs. 

Council President Matthew Moon noted the estimate is likely low, but all members agreed the money should be spent to attract the economic benefit that comes from tourists. Borough Manager Charles Gable said previously the programming budget–which is being covered by the National Park Service, Gettysburg Foundation, and Lincoln Fellowship–is more than $300,000.

The council also agreed to install two cameras in the police department’s interview room for $29,000. Officer-in-Charge Christopher Evans said he may be able to attain a grant to fund the expense.

The borough’s healthcare costs will increase 20% next year, Gable said. 

The council plans to install above-ground fuel tanks to replace underground tanks that failed inspection earlier this year. Public Works Director Robby Harbaugh said the borough will save 30 cents a gallon by buying its own gas. The tanks will be paid for through a fund that has a restricted use and does not affect the property tax rate.

The borough also plans to fix Steinwehr Avenue crosswalks located near Tommy’s Pizza and The Dobbin House. Borough Engineer Chad Claybaugh of C.S. Davidson acknowledged Steinwehr was recently rehabilitated but said the crosswalk is failing because the borough chose to save money by installing the crosswalks without replacing the base of the street. This project will replace the base and the crosswalk.

The borough will likely vote on Monday, Nov. 10 to advertise its budget with final approval scheduled for Dec. 8.