Draft of Portage Borough operating budget shows decrease in deficit
No property tax increase planned in operating plan
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PORTAGE -- A first draft of the 2027 proposed Portage Borough operating budget shows no property tax increase and has both revenues and expenditures set at about $1 million, leaving a projected operating fund gap of $43,955.35.
Borough Manager Makayla Zonfilli-Lang noted the gap is smaller than the $168,849 shortfall shown in the 2026 adopted budget comparison, reflecting a deliberate effort to bring planned expenditures closer to available resources, she said.
The proposed budget preserves resources for public safety, essential public works, solid waste collection, administrative services and community obligations, Zonfilli-Lang said.
It also identifies a proposed transfer to capital savings to support future infrastructure and equipment needs, she said, noting the transfer is subject to confirmation of the underlying earned income tax allocation.
The proposed budget is intended to support informed decision-making and meaningful public review, Zonfilli-Lang said, adding any changes made during budget workshops and council deliberations will be reflected in the final adopted budget.
During Monday's borough council meeting, council members voted to authorize and advertise several public meetings related to the budget.
Any changes to the proposed budget will be presented at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 16 at a public budget hearing and workshop session during the council's regularly scheduled committee of the whole meeting.
Another public budget hearing and workshop is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Dec. 7 to discuss proposed municipal tax ordinances, including the establishment or continuation of existing tax rates and consideration of any proposed tax adjustments.
A special meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Dec. 18 for the 2027 final budget's consideration and adoption by ordinance.
All meetings will be held at the Portage Borough Municipal Building, 721 Main St., officials said.
"This is a tentative draft one," Zonfilli-Lang said of the proposed budget. "We're definitely going to see a draft two and a draft three, based on council feedback, resident feedback (and) department head feedback."
The full proposed budget can be found online in the Nov. 2 regular meeting agenda packet at www.portageboro.com/news-notices.
In other business, the council moved to allow the Women's Club of Portage to host the annual Christmas parade at 6 p.m. Dec. 12 as part of the Portage Winterfest activities.
The council also passed a motion to continue working with the Portage Winterfest committee to come up with a plan of action for sleigh rides during Winterfest and tabled a motion related to the borough's annual donation of $500 to the committee.
Mirror Staff Writer Matt Churella is at 814-946-7520.