Limerick Township is considering a community center estimated to cost approximately $30 million, part of a broader 2027 budget review that could lead to a property tax increase for residents.
During a budget meeting Tuesday, October 13, the board of supervisors heard presentations covering parks and recreation, emergency medical services, fire services, public works, parks maintenance, and code services.
Township Manager Dan Kerr emphasized that the discussions did not commit any expenditures to the budget. Supervisors are expected to begin deciding which proposals to fund in November.
Community Center
Parks and Recreation Director Angela Russell said demand for programs has outgrown the township's available space. Since 2023, registrations have increased 27 percent and revenue has grown 30 percent. This year, the department waitlisted 285 registrations for its Summer Shamrock Camps, representing a 579 percent increase in the camp waitlist since 2024.
Russell said the township also faces rising costs and uncertainty over school facilities used for its summer camps. The Spring-Ford Area School District’'s rental fee is increasing from $15,000 to $24,500 in 2027, with additional annual increases of 5 percent. The district has also requested that the township reduce camp enrollment, according to Russell.
The proposed community center would provide a permanent home for the township's summer camps and other recreational programs, allowing the department to accommodate more participants, expand its offerings, and reduce its reliance on rented facilities. Located within the township's community park off Swamp Pike, the building could encompass more than 70,000 square feet and include four gymnasiums, classrooms, an art studio, a theater, and space for police services.
Kerr said construction is estimated at approximately $23 million, with site work adding another $5 million. Township Engineer Khal Hassan said the project would require a new access drive, additional parking, expanded stormwater facilities, and potentially a new traffic signal.
A preliminary financial analysis by Public Financial Management uses a $30 million project estimate, assuming approximately $5 million in township cash, $3 million in grants or other contributions, and $22.5 million in borrowing. Those funding assumptions have not been finalized.
The analysis projects that facility revenue could cover approximately 81 percent of annual operating costs, before accounting for potential theater revenue. Kerr said the township's estimated annual contribution, including debt service and operating expenses, would be approximately $2.02 million.
Kerr also noted that the township has approximately $60 million remaining from its sewer system sale, with investment earnings currently helping offset property taxes. A 2016 capital plan contemplated $20 million for parks, open space, and related facilities, although those funds were not specifically reserved for a community center. Supervisors could consider using some of those resources toward the project.
Supervisor Kara Shuler questioned the long-term maintenance costs of the facility and its equipment, saying those expenses need further study.
State Rep. Joe Ciresi, who represents Limerick in the state house and is also president of the nonprofit Steel River Playhouse, attended the meeting and encouraged the township to pursue grants, foundation funding, and private sponsorships. Steel River was discussed as a potential user of the proposed theater, although no agreement has been established.
Residents offered differing perspectives. Michele Tabor questioned the level of community support and said she would prefer greater investment in emergency services. Martha Bell supported the community center but expressed concern about losing existing park features, including walking trails and athletic fields, to accommodate the new access road and parking.
Bell also suggested that the community center could provide space for large public meetings, noting that hearings on a proposed data center earlier this year were moved from Spring-Ford Area High School to the smaller township building because of security concerns.
Emergency Medical Services
Representatives of Freedom Valley Medical Rescue said the organization is on pace to answer more than 2,400 calls in Limerick this year.
Treasurer Rick Mast said payroll expenses are projected to reach approximately $2.2 million in 2027, up from $1.86 million actually spent in 2024, while service revenue is expected to remain relatively flat next year despite increasing call volumes. Officials attributed the financial pressure partly to a shift toward Medicare Advantage plans and other insurance arrangements with lower reimbursements.
The organization currently operates one ambulance around the clock from the Limerick Fire Department and a second ambulance for 12 hours daily from Linfield.
Limerick Township contributed $926,000 to Freedom Valley in 2026. For 2027, the service is requesting an annual township contribution of $975,150 under one option, or $953,150 under a second option that would make Freedom Valley the primary ambulance provider throughout the township around the clock, without adding staff. Officials said the expanded coverage could generate additional ambulance billing revenue without increasing staffing costs, reducing the amount of municipal support needed.
Fire Services
Township CFO Glenn Dickerson said the proposed 2027 fire budget is approximately $1.27 million, a nearly 7 percent decrease from 2026, primarily because of reduced capital purchases.
Fire officials requested township support for a Local Share Account (LSA) grant application to establish a training facility, with a November 30 application deadline. Supervisor Patrick Morroney said he wanted to see a business plan demonstrating how the facility could be funded and operated without placing the full financial burden on Limerick taxpayers.
Fire officials said the department remains entirely volunteer-operated, with 58 active members, including junior firefighters and fire police. Of those members, 44 hold Firefighter 1 certification or higher.
Public Works, Parks, and Code Services
Public works officials proposed an $850,000 road milling and overlay program that could be funded through state liquid fuels allocations and existing balances without additional general fund money. They also outlined capital equipment requests and a potential department restructuring.
Parks maintenance staff presented plans to relocate playground equipment to the Linfield Sports Park and discussed extending water and sewer service to accommodate future park improvements.
Dickerson said the preliminary 2027 code services budget calls for a 23.5 percent increase, from about $380,000 in 2026 to nearly $470,000, largely because the township is relying on a third-party contractor following staffing changes. Officials said the arrangement costs approximately $62,000 more annually than using in-house personnel, and they are exploring ways to bring those services back in-house, which could reduce the proposed expenditure.
Potential Tax Impact
Dickerson said the township's current property tax rate is 3.483 mills, meaning residents pay approximately $3.48 for every $1,000 of their property's taxable assessed value. Each additional mill would generate approximately $1.6 million in annual revenue for the township.
For a property with the township's average residential taxable assessment of approximately $208,400, a quarter-mill increase would add $52.10 annually, a half-mill increase would add $104.20, and a full-mill increase would add $208.40, Dickerson explained.
Officials said additional spending requests reviewed during the October 6 and October 13 budget meetings total approximately $2.9 million, excluding the community center's projected $2 million cost for 2027. The police department, roadway projects, and additional capital projects have yet to be reviewed.
No tax increase has been proposed or approved. Supervisors could choose to eliminate or defer expenditures, use available reserves, or increase property taxes to cover some of the costs.
Additional departmental presentations are scheduled for Tuesday, October 20. The board is expected to begin making budget decisions November 10, with a final review scheduled for November 17 and final adoption targeted for December 15.
