During their final meeting of the year on Thursday, Dec. 18, Jackson Township supervisors adopted the 2026 budget, a move that keeps the real estate tax rate unchanged but shifts revenue to establish a new dedicated tax to support emergency medical services.

The millage rate remains at 10.25 mills, with 6 mills devoted to general purposes, 3 mills to the Harmony Fire District, 0.75 mills for the road equipment fund and 0.5 mills to Harmony EMS. An additional half-mill assessment will apply to properties located within 780 feet of a fire hydrant.

Harmony EMS officials had asked Jackson Township and nine other municipalities it serves for the funding months in advance.

Total budget revenues come to $5,638,670, while total expenditures are projected at $5,364,689.

Public safety remains the largest priority in the municipality in the county, with police department spending totaling north of $1.8 million. Administrative costs account for more than $1.1 million, while public works spending is projected at a little less than $1 million.

Township officials said the budget meets growing service demands to keep up with the population spike while maintaining a healthy reserve fund.

Despite an extensive capital plan, the township anticipates about $800,000 in unassigned general fund reserves by the end of next year, well above its typical target.

The township also has plans to hire a new public works employee to support ongoing infrastructure and park projects and to add a police patrol officer in the fourth quarter of the year to meet rising call demand.

Notable capital initiatives will include construction of a community center at Sippel Reservoir Park, expansion of public green space and the development of a park at the newly-acquired Evans City Reservoir along Lindsay Road.

There are also ideas for upgrades to playgrounds and trails, along with the continued construction of a dog park on a portion of 41 acres located off Spring Street.

Infrastructure work is also a focus. Those projects will pertain to water line extensions along the Franklin Road corridor and stormwater and flood-mitigation projects coordinated with the Southwest Butler Stormwater Authority.

Township officials said many of the larger projects will be funded through a combination of grants, impact fees and developer contributions.