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ebTown donors funded this report as part of the Civic Impact Reporting Project.
On Monday, North Annville Township supervisors released the draft 2026 budget, which introduces the township’s first real‑estate tax. The municipality is the only one in Lebanon County without a millage rate, so its finances rely mainly on earned income and real‑estate transfer taxes.
Under the Fire Service Capital Fund, the new 1‑mill real‑estate tax will bring in $225,000 to support the North Annville Fire Company, created on Jan. 1 by merging the Bellegrove and Union Water Works fire units. Company officials said they plan to buy a new engine once the tax is in place and funds are available. The tax will also help replace trucks that are at least 25 years old.
The budget earmarks $785,000 for the fire company and $228,500 to repay a fire‑service loan, bringing total fire‑service spending to just over $1 million. With the new tax revenue, interest, a capital‑equipment loan, and the $220,000 already in the fund as of Jan. 1, 2026, the fire‑service balance should exceed $1 million before expenses. After all costs, the fund is projected to close the fiscal year with about $20,000.
The overall township budget shows a Jan. 1 general‑fund balance of $800,000, projected revenues of $570,770, and expenditures of $544,032, leaving a Dec. 31 balance of $826,738. All township funds start the year with $1.83 million, expect $1.55 million in receipts, and will disburse $1.70 million, ending with $1.69 million. The budget is open for public comment until the next meeting on Dec. 8, when it is slated for adoption. Board chair Clyde Meyer opened the session; no one spoke during the first reading.
A temporary ordinance now bars trucks from Shanamantown and Kauffman roads while the Clear Spring Road railroad bridge is closed for repairs. The ban follows a dump‑truck collision in the nearby mobile‑home park and limits traffic to local deliveries until the bridge reopens next year. The detour route uses US 422 to Route 934. The bridge closed May 7 after a structural defect was found during a routine inspection. The ordinance is effective immediately but cannot be enforced until signage is installed.
Mobile‑home park owner Jestine Reider expressed concern that police are citing residents for using the banned roads, arguing enforcement should target trucks instead. Cleona Police Chief Jeffrey Farneski reported that his department issued 24 citations in a two‑day period out of 36 township citations in the past month. Township solicitor Paul Bametzreider said the ordinance must be enforced; trucks will continue to use the road until citations are issued. Residents asked about signs and enforcement; the township secretary noted that without a traffic‑study, signs prohibiting trucks lack legal teeth and will be removed soon.
Other actions approved by supervisors include:
* Applying for a $140,000 Local Share Assessment grant to purchase a dump truck equipped with a plow and salt spreader.
* Applying for a $25,000 LSA grant to buy and install a generator for the fire company in Bellegrove.
* Hiring Wilson Consulting Group for engineering services to repair a fascia beam on Cedar Run Road; the firm will be paid $110 per hour.
* Approving the Oct. 13 meeting minutes, treasurer’s report, and monthly bills.
* Approving the John Miller stormwater plan after review by the Lebanon County Planning Commission.
Supervisors also announced public forums for the Lebanon County comprehensive plan, urging residents to request traffic‑impact studies for Clear Spring Road.
The next township meeting will be held on the second Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m. in the Union Water Waters Social Hall, 2875 Water Works Way, Annville.
