Highlands Borough Council Adopts Lean 2025 Budget Amid Significant Property Value Growth

At the recent Highlands Borough Council meeting, members adopted the 2025 municipal budget, characterized as lean and precise, amidst a notable increase in property values. The town’s assessed value rose approximately 23% from $1.192 billion in 2024 to around $1.347 billion in 2025, which is expected to decrease the tax rate from 0.935 to 0.80. The budget’s adoption followed discussions about strategic cuts and planning decisions made with the input of various department heads and council members. Despite the substantial growth in property value, the exact tax impact remains undetermined.

06:50The meeting also addressed several ordinances and resolutions, including the introduction of a bond ordinance for sewer utility improvements and capital equipment acquisition. This involves appropriating $86,250 and authorizing the issuance of bonds and notes. The sewer utility project plans to address ongoing issues with pump installations. Additionally, the council introduced another bond ordinance, valued at over $1.4 million, for broader capital improvements, which includes funding for new technology and equipment for the police and fire departments.

11:39In other business, the council discussed the upcoming community events, including “Roar on the River” and “Cinco de Highlands,” both scheduled for next month. These events are anticipated to bring the community together and require coordination with local police and first aid teams.

Note: This meeting summary was generated by AI, which can occasionally misspell names, misattribute actions, and state inaccuracies. This summary is intended to be a starting point and you should review the meeting record linked above before acting on anything you read. If we got something wrong, let us know. We’re working every day to improve our process in pursuit of universal local government transparency.

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