SHARON HILL, Pa. (WPVI) -- Sharon Hill Borough Council approved its 2026 budget following a contentious meeting in which requests from the local fire department for additional funding and a dedicated fire tax were denied.The approved budget allocates $121,679 to the Sharon Hill Fire Company, an amount fire officials said is $10,000 less than the previous year. Fire department leaders and some residents warned that the decision could affect emergency coverage in the community."If you start closing fire companies down, they ...
SHARON HILL, Pa. (WPVI) -- Sharon Hill Borough Council approved its 2026 budget following a contentious meeting in which requests from the local fire department for additional funding and a dedicated fire tax were denied.
The approved budget allocates $121,679 to the Sharon Hill Fire Company, an amount fire officials said is $10,000 less than the previous year. Fire department leaders and some residents warned that the decision could affect emergency coverage in the community.
"If you start closing fire companies down, they won't have coverage and could be fatalities," said Carl G, a Sharon Hill resident.
Council President Tanya Allen said the borough based its budget on recent spending patterns.
"We do our budget based on current spending, and last year's spending came in 10,000 less," Allen said.
Deputy Fire Chief John Croce, who said he has spent decades serving the department, urged council members to reconsider.
"Ive been a member of this fire company for 44 years and lived in this town. I've dedicated almost my whole life to this fire company, so I would appreciate you helping us now when we ask," Croce said.
Fire company officials said their requests for additional financial assistance were denied. They presented two proposals to the borough: funding for part-time firefighters and the creation of a fire tax dedicated solely to the fire company.
"You guys have been good to us in the past, and we need your help now with funding to be able to have firefighters during the day to respond when our volunteers are at work," Croce said.
Borough officials said limited resources and broader financial pressures guided their decision.
"We do want to support our company, but we have to do it with a good mind for our community were being taxed from different directions, and we had to raise our municipal tax this year," Allen said.
Some residents expressed hope that a compromise could still be reached.
Council members encouraged residents to donate to the fire company or volunteer their time to help keep it operating, while borough leaders said they will continue seeking additional funding.
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