Lancaster Township's budget for 2021 does not include any increase to the fire tax, the same as in the budget's of the other three member municipalities of the Harmony Fire District.

The budget, passed by supervisors Monday, projects $1.48 million in general fund expenditures, a roughly 6% increase from the $1.39 million 2020 budget.

But Lancaster, joining Jackson Township along with Harmony and Zelienople, did not meet an earlier request by the Harmony Fire District to bump its fire millage to help fund construction of a new station. Supervisors attributed this lack of a tax hike to the department's changing plans.

“From what I understand, there's no definite location for a new building, so I guess that's kind of in a holding pattern,” said Joe Plesniak, supervisor chairman.

The topic of the fire tax came up after the board passed the budget as well, but supervisors did not approve the hike then, either. Supervisor Tim Zinkham said the township did not include the tax hike in its preliminary budget, and thus should not approve it separately. “I think we need to move on in that direction until we're sure what the project entails and the location” of the proposed station, Zinkham said.

While the general fund budget is higher than the 2020 budget, some categories see a decrease in budgeted funds. The “general government” category sees the largest drop, going from $301,000 in 2020 to $227,805 in 2021. Roads and streets will have roughly $30,000 less allocated in 2021 than in 2020. Public safety will see an increase of $56,000 allocated next year, and the health and welfare category will rise from $9,600 allocated to a budgeted $91,429 next year.

Also, supervisors welcomed Danielle Rich as the township's new manager. She assumed the role Dec. 14. The board approved the hiring at its Nov. 16 meeting.

Rich, who said she got her start in local government in Ohio, recently received her master of public administration degree.