City Council Passes $15.1 million budget for 2026

By Christopher Miller

LOCK HAVEN – Lock Haven City Council voted in favor of passing their 2026 budget Monday night.

The budget amounts to $15,147,587, a $56,976 decrease over what was originally projected and advertised in the budget book.

While the budget saw a drop in millage rates for general purpose (land) from 20 mills in 2025 to 15.0 mills in 2026, the millage rate for improvements increased from 9.8 mills in 2025 to 10.9 mills in 2026. One mill is equal to $1 of property tax for every $1,000 in assessed value.

The 2026 budget is as follows:
General Fund $6,466,359
Fire Fund $549,476
Water Fund $3,076,011
Sewer Fund $4,214,723
Airport Fund $235,972
Stormwater Fund $276,414
Highway Aid $328,632
TOTAL $15,147,587

City Councilman Jeff Brinker was the lone “no” vote against the passing of the budget.

While the 2026 budget has increased by $1.3 million when compared to 2025. Mayor Joel Long added that “some people might see an increase in their taxes while the city works to bring the millage rates to a single millage.”