Ligonier Township expects to hold line on property tax by dipping into healthy reserve

The Ligonier Township supervisors are considering a proposed $2.7 million budget for 2026 that could have a funding shortfall of about $282,000.

That’s the equivalent of revenue generated by 2.87 mills worth of real estate tax in the township.

But a tentative budget, posted on the township website, calls for the existing 6-mill tax rate and instead dipping into the township’s fund reserve.

“We are lucky that we have a pretty good fund balance,” said Township Manager Michael Strelic. “If we have to, we can survive a (spending) deficit for now.”

Officials are anticipating the township will end this year with a fund balance of $1.68 million — an amount that would fall to just shy of $1.4 million by the end of 2026.

Expenditures are expected to increase by about $33,300 from this year while revenue is projected to decline by about $158,000.

“Expenses are up due to inflation and health care costs,” Strelic said.

New in 2026, the township is proposing to set aside $250,000 annually to build up funding for replacing several small township bridges.

”We should replace one a year for the next 10 years,” Strelic said.

One of the first priorities would be to replace a bridge on Ramsey Road that has been closed since September 2024, prompting a detour using nearby Robb Road. The township is seeking a required state permit for its plan to replace the bridge with a concrete box culvert.

The bridge was subject to an emergency closure after an inspection revealed an abutment had been undermined. The bridge abutments would be removed.

The supervisors are seeking funding for the project through PennDOT’s multimodal program.

“If it’s not approved, we’ll have to tap into some reserves,” Strelic said.

The supervisors will approve a final version of the township budget in December.