Lower Paxton Township Videos Live Stream

The Lower Paxton Township Board of Supervisors held a budget workshop meeting on September 9, 2026, focusing on the proposed budgets for the Police and Fire Departments. The Police Department presented a proposed budget of approximately $10.2 million for 2027, reflecting a 6.2% increase over the previous year, primarily driven by contractual obligations such as salaries, benefits, and vehicle leases. The department plans to add four officers annually for the next four years to address staffing shortages and retirements, with associated capital requests including new vehicle leases and mobile barriers. Discussions highlighted challenges in recruitment, overtime costs, and technology needs. The Fire Department proposed a significant budget increase to support adding 12 firefighters, converting a part-time assistant chief to full-time, and purchasing a new fire pumper truck. The fire budget increase is driven by staffing needs, apparatus maintenance, and capital equipment costs, with a recommended 0.83 mill tax increase to fund these investments. Both departments emphasized the importance of strategic staffing to maintain public safety and improve service reliability, with suggestions for conducting independent staffing analyses to guide future planning. The meeting concluded with expressions of support for public safety funding and a motion to adjourn.