EBENSBURG — By a 4-2 vote, Ebensburg Borough Council members tentatively approved the 2026 general fund budget, which is balanced and reflects no real estate tax increase over the previous year.

Councilmen Mike Murphy and Bob Miller opposed the $7.6 million budget, with Murphy later expressing a desire to have additional public works employees on the borough’s staff. There are only four public works employees currently, he said.

Borough Manager Kelly Cook noted the borough’s public works crew is fully staffed. Officials recently hired Scott Maul as a public works laborer, and last month, Jerry Poruban was hired as the borough’s new public works director.

Council President Doug Tusing said creating additional positions would add about $150,000 in employee-related expenses to the proposed budget, which he said would translate into a tax increase for property owners.

Council Vice President Cecilia Houser said she is not in favor of raising taxes.

Prior to voting against the budget, Miller said the borough paid more than $300,000 for a “leaf vacuum” that he couldn’t find listed in the budget’s expenses. Last year, a similar situation occurred when the borough purchased the municipal parking lot, Miller said.

“Again, like I said last year, if we’re robbing Peter to pay for Paul, where are we coming back with this $360,000,” Miller asked Cook, who said the item was listed as an expenditure under the capital reserve fund.

Cook noted money from each department is going into that account.

The proposed budget for next year includes an allocation of $684,950 for the capital reserve fund, she said.

According to the meeting’s agenda, revenues and expenditures for 2026 total $7.6 million, with $230,500 budgeted for the stormwater fund; $2 million for the wastewater fund; $2.6 million for the water fund; and $2.7 million for the general fund.

Aside from general inflation in wages and materials, officials said proposed increases in expenses include about $80,000 for the police department, for a student resource officer program with Holy Name Catholic School and pension, employee-related costs; $70,000 for the water fund, for higher debt service, bulk water purchases, chemicals and supplies and increased electricity costs; and about $35,000 for recreation equipment and operations.

The water fund expenditures were mostly offset by a reduction in capital project reserves, borough officials said, adding the proposed budget reflects a 6% increase in revenues over last year’s budget.

The increase in revenues include nearly $80,000 due to the full-year impact of the Holy Name student resource officer contract; about $60,000 due to earned income tax collection and interest on fund deposits; and about $60,000 in additional bulk water sales.

The budget will be advertised for public inspection and will require final approval at a future council meeting, officials said. Tusing directed Cook to speak with Poruban, who was not present during Monday’s meeting, about whether the borough needs additional public works staff.

Borough manager to retire

In other business, the borough council accepted Cook’s retirement notice, effective April 6, 2026.

The council’s administration committee met in executive session Thursday, Nov. 6, to review the borough manager job description and discuss a search process for filling the vacancy.

Borough officials said the vacancy has been advertised, with applications due Wednesday, Dec. 17.

The administration committee plans to review applications and seek additional information from qualified candidates in early January, officials said, noting their goal is to agree on a candidate by early February.

An overlap with Cook, the outgoing manager, will assist with the transition, officials said.

Mirror Staff Writer Matt Churella is at 814-946-7520.