2 stormwater projects included in 2026 Bradford Woods budget with no tax increase

Bradford Woods Council passed its 2026 budget Dec. 8 with no change in taxes.

The property tax millage rate will remain at 3.375 mills, with Bradford Woods being the fourth-lowest millage rate among 81 boroughs in Allegheny County, according to borough Manager Rusti Null.

Easements were a big part of operations in Bradford Woods in 2025 and will continue to have an impact in 2026, as emphasized by Null.

“This year can be summed up in two words: easement agreements,” Null said.

Two projects will be completed in the fall of 2026. The first is the restoration of a large pond in the Village of Bradford Woods, which required an easement from that development’s homeowner association.

In 2016, the HOA drained the pond because homeowners were concerned the dam that created it was failing, Null said. This project, approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection in August, will restore that pond. This also will reduce sediment in the Brush Creek watershed, Null said.

The other project required five easements for private properties along and near Wexford Run Road. The stormwater pollution reduction project will reduce sediment entering Pine Creek. This will reduce flooding and erosion on the church’s and private properties there as well, according to Null.

A Local Share Account grant for $466,000 and an Economic Development and Community Development Initiatives grant for $466,000 will fund 58% of these project costs, Null said.

Overall, revenue for the borough next year is listed at more than $1.5 million and expenses at approximately $2.65 million, the latter reflecting the expenses of the two stormwater projects.

However, money already was set aside in the capital reserves funds for the projects.

“Borough council voted in 2019 to increase the property tax millage from 2.483 mils to 3.375 mils in order to set aside funds that would eventually be used for these pollution reduction projects, which were mandated by the federal and state governments without benefit of a funding source,” Null said.

Overall revenues, excluding the grants, are expected to decline by 2% compared to the 2025 estimate, as noted by Null in the budget.

“This reflects a reduction in interest income due to falling interest rates and lower bank balances,” she said.

Other budget highlights include road construction, stormwater management and public safety needs, all of which reflect more than 81% of the budget.

The 2026 roads budget of $207,535 will be used to pave and repair 1,736 feet of roadway. It also includes funds for pavement patching, crack sealing and pavement preservation, according to Null.

Other budget expenses include contributions of $27,905 to Northland Public Library, $5,700 to the McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority and $279,315 to the Northern Regional Police Department.

The Bradford Woods Volunteer Fire Company will receive a $35,775 contribution from the borough.

The fire company has several expenses planned for 2026, including the replacement of a 25-year-old squad vehicle used to transport equipment and nonfirefighter personnel, according to Muhlenkamp, the fire company’s vice president. The current vehicle will be put up for sale, she said.

Other projected expenses at the fire company include replacement of self-contained breathing apparatus and cylinders.

“We do pursue multiple grants for fire equipment. We make a point of submitting for the Office of the State Fire Commissioner grants annually,” Muhlenkamp said.

Strategic budgeting is needed to support a major future capital expenditure for apparatus replacement, she said.

“We also have the support of Sen. (Devlin) Robinson and Rep. (Jeremy) Shaffer as we are pursuing a grant from Energy Transfer’s First Responder Grant Program in 2026,” she said.

Another interesting change in the budget deals with deer. A growing issue in most municipalities, it’s becoming a bigger line item in the budget. Deer disposal in Bradford Woods increased from $600 in 2024 to a forecasted $2,450 in 2025. This has increased to $3,000 for 2026.

To view the budget, visit bradfordwoodspa.org.