Council adopts 2026 budget with no millage increase but with a considerable drawdown of reserves

JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY 

Columbia Borough Council adopted its 2026 budget with no tax increase but with a considerable drawdown of reserves.

Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to adopt the $17.80 million budget, using $1.1 million from reserves. The approximately $300,000 remaining is considerably lower than the recommended minimum of 15% of expenditures in general fund reserves. 

Council also voted to keep the millage the same—at 10 mills—although council members Kelly Murphy and Joanne Geesey voted against the measure, without explanation.