Ephrata Council passes $35.6 million budget for 2026

EPHRATA — The Ephrata City Council has officially passed its budget for the 2026 fiscal year, amounting to a total of about $35,600,000. The ordinance was approved during a council meeting held Dec. 3. 

Ephrata Finance Director Kristen McDonnell highlighted the planning that went into creating the budget.  

“The budget process is extensive. We started back in June, so it is a five-month process of getting numbers and going through that process,” McDonnell said.  

She noted that the planning involved various departments making essential contributions to ensure that the budget aligns with the city's goals. 

The council convened twice in November to discuss the proposed budget during public meetings, which provided an opportunity for residents to voice their opinions. The proposed budget, as detailed in Section 1 of the ordinance, does not exceed the limit of taxation allowed by state law.  

The budget allocates funds to a variety of essential services and projects throughout Ephrata. The city has yet to release a line-item budget to the public; however, the exact fund amounts were approved by the council. McDonnell said she is working on the final in-depth budget, which will be released to the public.  

The largest single allocation is for the current expense fund, which stands at around $8 million. Other significant allocations include nearly $7 million for the water-sewer fund, around $8 million for the water-sewer construction fund and about $2 million for sanitation.  

The budget further includes designated reserves for specific projects, such as a nearly $1.3 million allocation for the Transportation Benefit District and $400,000 for capital improvement projects. 

In her commentary on the city's financial health, McDonnell pointed out that Ephrata has been well-prepared for future expenditures.  

"We are sitting well; Leslie has set us up well," McDonnell said, referring to her predecessor, Leslie Trachsler, who played a crucial role in establishing a foundation for the budget.  

This was McDonnell’s first year completing the budget without Trachsler’s help. 

“It was stressful. There is a lot that goes into a budget,” she said. “I did have help from council, city administrators and Ray Towry to make sure everything was in order.”  

The finance director emphasized the importance of leveraging available grants.  

"We’ve been able to take the little funds that we have and multiply them. Instead of saving up for a million-dollar park, we can leverage the $100,000 we have and turn it into a million dollars through different grants,” she said.  

The approved budget reflects the city council's commitment to its seven overarching goals, which guide financial decisions and project developments. McDonnell noted that city projects align with these goals, ensuring that taxpayer dollars are efficiently utilized.  

Among the notable projects funded by this budget is the continuation of the water tower project, with a remaining allocation of $4 million set aside for its completion.  

“The project might look done, but there are still things that we need to budget for, which will continue into next year,” McDonnell said. 

Additionally, the budget provisions include $1 million for the ongoing redevelopment of the Rite Aid building.  

“We are focusing on several capital projects, including significant upgrades to city infrastructure. The streets, for instance, received vital funds for construction and maintenance,” McDonnell said. 

New initiatives funded in the budget include various park developments, library services, and improvements to street conditions, all of which City Hall hopes residents will notice, McDonnell said.  

The ordinance specifies that the passage of this budget will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026. The approved allocations reflect a concerted effort to balance the needs of the community with the city's available resources. 

For residents concerned about how their taxes contribute to city projects, McDonnell reassured that the budget considerations are in line with community priorities.  

"We're sitting well, and we're planning on how to best serve our residents," she said. 

    The City of Ephrata began the budgeting process in June and at the Dec. 3 regular council meeting the Ephrata City Council passed the budget.