Martinsburg Borough Council Minutes - Budget Meeting

Meeting Overview

A special meeting of the Martinsburg Borough Council was held on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, starting at 7:00 p. m. The primary purpose was to work on the 2026 budget and address general borough business.

Attendees:

• Council: Mayor Richard A. Brantner, President P. Robert Dickson, Vice-President Edward L. Bennett, Pro-tem Charles E. Kensinger, Councilmen James C. Dell, Mark K. Gartland, Neil E. Gartland, and Darin B. Meck.
• Staff: Manager Richard Brantner, Jr. , Secretary/Treasurer Jane Staily, and Amy Hockenberry.

Borough Operations & Safety

• Road Work: PENELEC has been installing new wiring throughout town for over two weeks, resulting in road and lane closures.
• Emergency Response: The borough crew responded to an emergency water leak on Oakdale Road. Due to the need for extra labor, Fireman David J. Hoover and Donnie Stern assisted with flagging.
• Policy Change: The council approved a motion (by Charles Kensinger, seconded by James Dell) allowing the Borough Manager to hire temporary last-minute help for emergency situations at his discretion. This was deemed necessary because the borough's liability insurance covers reputable, competent temporary help in emergencies.

Community Events

• Booster Association Dinner: The council approved spending $300 to reserve a table for six people at the Martinsburg Booster Association’s 100th Anniversary Celebration Dinner.
  • Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025
  • Location: Homewood

2026 Budget Drafts

Borough Secretary/Treasurer Jane Staily presented the budget details. The council reviewed two drafts:

• Draft Budget No. 2026-04: Balanced at $1,160,000.
• Draft Budget No. 2026-05: Balanced at $1,160,400. 00.

The final draft (2026-05) utilizes the current millage of 1. 967 and does not include a real estate tax millage increase.

Financial Summary (Draft Budget 2026-05)

• Estimated Balance on Hand (Jan 1, 2026): $937,200
• Total Revenue: $1,312,879
• Total Expenditures: $1,330,412
• Estimated Balance on Hand (Dec 31, 2026): $919,667

Personnel Raises (Effective 2026)

Per the Personnel Committee's recommendation, the following hourly raises were approved:

• $2. 00 increase: Manager, Police Chief, Borough Sec. /Treas.
• $1. 50 increase: Working Foreman, Clerk
• $1. 00 increase: STP Operator, Laborer, Part-time Patrol, Flaggers

The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p. m.