DUBOIS — The joint board overseeing the merger of DuBois and Sandy Township has approved a proposed 2026 budget for the newly consolidated City of DuBois, marking another major step toward officially becoming one city on January 5, 2026. Wednesday night’s vote doesn’t finalize everything, but it does clear a required legal hurdle. Because the new City of DuBois does not yet exist on paper, the budget had to be adopted by resolution, not ordinance. The incoming city council will still need to review (and formally adopt) the budget early next year. Co-manager Ben Kafferlin said the document has been largely unchanged since it was introduced in November, allowing time for review by both the current governing bodies and the future city council.

What The Budget Looks Like

The proposed General Fund totals $12.79 million and is balanced, meaning the city plans to spend only what it expects to bring in. Public safety is the largest expense by far. Police services account for about 42 percent of the budget, while street maintenance and road work make up roughly 16 percent. The remainder supports fire protection, administration, the public library, recreation, training, insurance, and existing debt. One of the most noticeable changes is the move to a single property tax rate of 14.75 mills for all residents of the new city — whether they currently live in DuBois or Sandy Township. If the new city council approves the plan, everyone will be on the same municipal tax structure starting in 2026.

What Residents Should Know

This budget is designed to bring two governments together into one, eliminating duplicate administration while keeping services steady. Residents should expect one city council, one police operation, and one public works structure instead of separate city and township governments. However, consolidation does not mean every service suddenly becomes identical for every neighborhood. A key example is Treasure Lake. While Treasure Lake is part of Sandy Township and will officially be part of the new City of DuBois, many homes there receive water and sewer service from Aqua, a private utility regulated at the state level. That means consolidation may affect municipal taxes and governance, but it does not automatically change who provides your water or sewer service if you’re already on the Aqua system. In short: one city government, yes — but not necessarily one water bill for everyone.

What It Means For Your Tax Bill

At first glance, the new millage rate looks like a significant increase, especially for Sandy Township residents. Officials stressed, however, that municipal taxes are only one piece of the overall property tax bill, which also includes county and school taxes. When everything is combined, the estimated impact looks like this: Current DuBois residents: about a 4 percent overall increase Current Sandy Township residents: about an 8 percent overall increase To put that into real-world terms: On a $100,000 home, DuBois residents could see their municipal portion increase by roughly $25–$30 per year, or about $2–$3 per month. On the same home, Sandy Township residents could see an increase closer to $60–$65 per year, or about $5 per month. Actual amounts will vary based on assessments, but officials said the goal is a smoother transition once all taxes are considered. Currently, DuBois residents pay 11.75 mills for general government, library, and recreation services. Sandy Township residents pay 9.125 mills spread across several service categories. Under the consolidated plan, the unified rate breaks down as follows: 13.090 mills — General government 0.500 mills — Public library 0.340 mills — Recreation 0.820 mills — Debt service

Where The Money Comes From And Where It Goes

For 2026, General Fund revenue is projected at just under $12.8 million. About 40 percent comes from property taxes, while 28 percent comes from earned-income and other Act 511 taxes. Major expenses include police and fire services, road maintenance, professional training, insurance, library contributions, community development programs, and debt payments. The budget sets aside nearly $391,000 for principal and interest on existing loans and about $130,000 for insurance coverage.

Equipment, Infrastructure And Future Needs

The Capital Reserve Fund outlines nearly $889,000 in planned equipment purchases and project investments. Looking further ahead, officials identified more than $5.2 million in infrastructure needs tied to 2026, with major investments planned for fire protection equipment and the city’s water and sewer systems.

Water And Sewer And What Changes And What Does Not

The budget establishes unified city budgeting and oversight for municipal water and sewer operations, including separate enterprise funds for each system. The Water Fund projects about $5.7 million in revenue, while the Sewer Fund projects roughly $7 million, with both balanced to cover operating costs, debt, and future upgrades. That said, officials were careful to note that not all residents are on city-operated utilities. Treasure Lake households served by Aqua are expected to remain on that system following consolidation. For those residents, the city’s water and sewer budget reflects how the new city manages its systems — not a forced change in provider. The plan also includes limited one-time revenue from asset sales and timber harvesting, along with longer-term planning for infrastructure improvements and employee training.

What Happens Next?

Co-manager Lisa Hagberg told the board that early insurance estimates are coming in better than expected, including a potential $30,000 savings on workers’ compensation, though those figures have not yet been built into the budget. Kafferlin said the incoming city council will have the authority to reopen and revise the budget once it takes office in January. However, state advertising and voting deadlines mean any changes would need to happen quickly. While budget adjustments are common, officials acknowledged that this situation is unique — because it involves launching an entirely new city government from the ground up.