Quarryville Borough Council approves 2025 budget with no tax hike

When: Quarryville Borough Council meeting, Dec. 2.

What happened: Council approved the 2025 budget as advertised with projected revenue of $2.6 million and expenses of $2.51 million, leaving a $91,754 surplus to add to the fund balance.

The cost: The tax rate will remain at 4.88 mills. For the owner of a property assessed at $100,000, that translates to an annual bill of $488.

Police budget discussion: Council discussed developing a formula to determine how the borough will calculate the fees it charges other municipalities for police services.

Background: The borough police department provides service to East Drumore Township at Townsedge Shopping Center at an annual cost of $18,000. For the new year, that contract will increase to $19,800. Eden Township is also interested in some form of police coverage for the Enola Low Grade Trail but the extent of coverage, costs, and other details have not been determined, Borough Manager Scott Peiffer said.

Quotable: “Those (police) services need to be paid by those receiving those services, not the borough taxpayers,” said council member Brian Braightmeyer, who suggested the idea of developing a formula for determining fees.

What’s next: Peiffer said the borough needs further discussion with Eden. The police committee may also look into a fee structure.

Dog park: The dog park project has received a large donation and now has $28,000, enough for construction, council member Susan Noel said. She declined to name the latest donor without receiving their permission. She anticipates a groundbreaking ceremony will be held this month, she said.