The Gettysburg Borough Council finished reviewing a proposed $7.47 million budget for 2027 yesterday. The plan is balanced without a tax-rate increase, but it assumes the borough will raise parking rates and use $100,000 from its general fund reserves.
The proposed budget totals $7,468,411, slightly less than the 2026 budget. The general fund property-tax rate would remain at 4.5566 mills. The borough also levies a separate 0.5-mill fire tax.
The reserve draw would help cover expenses while keeping the tax rate level, borough officials said. Borough Manager Charles Gable cautioned that using reserves to avoid tax increases each year is not a sound long-term practice. Gable said the draw would bring the borough closer to its minimum reserve target, which is 18% of general fund expenditures.
Major revenue sources are property taxes and parking fees. Parking revenue is projected at about $1.98 million. Council’s fee-resolution proposals include raising the Race Horse Alley garage’s daily rate from $18 to $21 and its monthly permit fee from $60 to $75. The hourly garage rate would rise from $1 to $1.75. Meter rates in the Square and one block in each direction are also proposed to increase by 25 cents, to $2.25 per hour.
The fee changes are part of a broader effort to fund borough services without raising property taxes. Officials noted that about 46% of borough real estate is tax-exempt. Gettysburg College, which voluntarily pays property taxes, contributes about $250,000 annually.
The borough’s largest expense is public safety. The police department accounts for about 40% of the borough’s expenses, with a proposed total of $2.85 million. The department’s budget includes a new officer who is attending the police academy. Police union negotiations remain underway, so some salary figures are placeholders. Police Chief Dave Snyder recommended removing a proposed $28,000 server upgrade while the borough considers a longer-term replacement for its records-management system. The chief also identified other expenses that could be reduced.
The proposed capital budget includes a new public works facility, estimated to cost about $1.1 million. Borough staff hope to reduce the cost by roughly $300,000 through work done in-house. The borough is seeking a grant that could reduce its share by about $400,000; if the grant is not awarded, the borough’s contribution could be about $800,000.
Other planned projects include work on the East Water Street Bridge, sidewalk improvements, road planning and design, and a comprehensive plan and housing study. The borough expects to spend $40,000 on the planning and study work, with most of the project taking place in 2028. Officials described the five-year capital improvement plan as a planning document that does not commit the borough to future spending. Several of its larger projects depend on outside funding.
Council also added a proposed a new $2,000 contribution to the Adams County Office of Aging.
Council is scheduled to vote on advertising the proposed budget at its Nov. 9 business meeting. The draft is expected to be posted for public review Nov. 30, with adoption scheduled for Dec. 14.