McCandless' budget for 2026 marks 21 years of no tax increase for town's residents

The Town of McCandless 2026 budget of more than $20 million was passed unanimously by council Dec. 8 with no change in real estate tax for the 21st year.

A proposed budget was first presented to council at its Nov. 10 meeting, and a public hearing was held Nov. 24.

“Our goal is to be clear and transparent and responsible with the resources entrusted to us. We want everyone to understand not only the numbers but the reasoning behind them and the ways they support the services, safety and quality of life our residents expect,” said Brittany Yavorka, finance director for the town.

The town is being fiscally conservative in this budget cycle.

There are 4% lower projections in revenues compared to 2025. Earned income taxes, which make up the bulk of the revenues for the town at 42%, has increased since 2020 but at a slower rate, Yavorka said.

Projections for the realty tax revenue were “brought down to be more realistic and attainable based on current activities just to keep the budget grounded,” she said.

“We’d rather much operate within conservative revenue projects than count on dollars that may not come to fruition and keep us on the safe side,” Yavorka said.

While the real estate transfer tax in 2025 was adopted at $1.8 million, it is projected to be $1.3 million.

The town made certain assumptions last year that both earned income tax and realty transfer tax would outperform than in previous years, said town Manager John Schwend, adding the latter was based on assumptions of the large property transfers. The real estate market also has “calmed,” he said.

The town is conservatively budgeting $1.4 million in realty transfer for 2026.

The Rachel Carson EcoVillage, located near Cumberland Road and Babcock Boulevard, and The Ridge, off Perry Highway, are both expected to have large real estate transfers this year, he said.

“We are projecting high in our expenses and conservative in our revenues to make sure we are showing you … the worst-case scenario,” Schwend said.

Most budget expenses are in personnel and the ongoing cost of supplies, with the biggest portions in public safety and public works.

The McCandless Police Department, budgeted at approximately $7 million, will include purchases of three replacement vehicles, including two marked police vehicles with outfitting, along with department software and technology upgrade costs.

The department is made up of 31 officers, responding to about 1,200 calls each month.

The McCandless Police Officers Association Collective Bargaining Agreement will result in the standard 3% increase in 2026, and there is increased funding for the social worker program, according to Yavorka.

Public works employees will receive a 3% wage increase per the Teamsters Collective Bargaining Agreement.

There is an estimated 6% increase in health insurance for town employees.

The town is providing a 6% increase to the volunteer fire departments — Highland, Ingomar and Peebles.

The capital improvements program funds major projects, equipment purchases and infrastructure improvements that have a longer expected useful life, according to the budget.

This includes improvements at the Town Hall building along Grubbs Road. A total cost of $535,000 would provide a generator, flooring replacements, including at the police station on the first floor, and securing and modernization of the town lobby. A grant application was submitted to Allegheny County for ADA-compliant restrooms there.

Larger public works ticket items for 2026, within the capital improvements program, include the reconstruction and repaving of various town roads budgeted at more than $1.6 million in 2026.

McCandless roads are under an 18- to 20-year cycle, with an annual goal to renew about 6 miles of two-lane roads. Roads are selected each fall based on age and condition, with a follow-up review conducted in the spring, according to the presentation.

Traffic control devices, license plate readers and upgrades are listed at $1.5 million for 2026. A $50,000 grant will help fund $60,000 worth of equipment. Additional applications for grants were submitted that would help fund license-plate reading cameras at the town’s main intersections.

Schwend said this is a “great idea” for law enforcement to keep track of types of crime “that we don’t want to happen in this town.”

Long-term stormwater issues have not been adequately addressed in the town, with $270,000 reserved in this area for 2026 and a significant amount budgeted for each year to 2030.

Continued sidewalk connections in the town are part of the five-year capital improvements plan from 2026 to 2030, some of which may be contingent on grant funding.

Under Parks and Recreation, grant applications have been submitted for security cameras in 2026 at Wall and Vestal parks. Potter Park will receive upgrades as well.

The town set aside $150,000 for Pontiac Park, a former fill site that may become a new park based on recommendations in a new Master Park and Trail Feasibility Plan, which is expected to be finalized in January.

Grants for future park projects will be pursued, Schwend said.

Other expenses in the budget include a contribution of $128,000 for the McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority, an increase of $18,000 from previous years.

The contribution to Northland Public Library will be $717,062, an increase of $24,908 from 2025. McCandless shares this funding contribution effort with Bradford Woods, Franklin Park, Marshall and Ross, based on size and usage.