New Britain Township. Photo by James Short.
New Britain Township has adopted its 2026 preliminary budget, a multi-fund spending plan that supports police, public works, parks, fire and EMS while committing more than $1.3 million to capital improvements across the community, according to the finalized document.
The General Fund, which supports most day-to-day municipal operations, lists $6.83 million in revenue against $7.37 million in expenses for 2026. The budget uses the township’s fund balance — projected at $3.19 million available for operations heading into the new year — to cover the difference.
Major General Fund spending categories include police services, inspection services, planning and zoning, and highway maintenance.
Public safety accounts for one of the township’s largest expenditures. The police budget is set at $3.72 million for 2026, covering salaries, insurance, equipment, training, vehicle costs and administrative operations. Fire and EMS services are funded through a separate Fire & EMS Fund, which anticipates $444,706 in revenue and shows end-of-year restricted balances dedicated to emergency services.
Infrastructure and roadway maintenance draw from both township tax revenue and state liquid fuels dollars. The Liquid Fuels Fund — restricted for eligible transportation expenses — totals $397,788 in projected 2026 revenue and budgets $650,000 for snow removal, road projects and highway services.
A separate Highway Equipment Fund budgets $89,466 in 2026 revenue with a planned $238,000 transfer to capital for major equipment needs.
The township is planning significant investments through its 2026 Capital Plan, which outlines $1.37 million in improvements across multiple departments. Projects include township file digitization, new police vehicles and taser replacements, bridge work on Briarwyck Drive, a dump truck replacement, and a series of park enhancements such as pavilion renovations, trail extensions at North Branch Park and pre-tail planning for Covered Bridge Park.
Other township funds — including Parks and Recreation, Open Space, Street Lights, General Reserve, Capital Improvements & Equipment, Debt Service, and Highway Equipment — remain supported by dedicated tax revenue, grants or restricted balances, many of which continue into 2026 with positive cash positions. The budget shows no indication of a tax increase within the document.
The final budget is expected to be adopted by the end of the month.
