At Upper Darby’s council meeting on Wednesday, officials heard a presentation about the proposed $104.7 million 2026 budget.
The proposed budget is an increase over 2025’s $97.7 million spending plan but is similar to the 2024 budget of $104.5 million.
The greatest costs are for $77 million in personnel costs, which is a 6 percent increase from 2025.
Chief Administrative Officer Crandall Jones said two unexpected costs had impacted plans to put money into a rainy day fund: The $525,000 required to provide emergency medical services and $903,000 to repair a retaining wall, the Collenbrook Gabion wall project, which began to fail and required emergency action.
Upper Darby Township Chief Administrative Officer Crandall Jones
Jones said a number of challenges to real estate reassessments requests and those appeals had impacted revenue. He said that with the $17.8 million projected from the new earned income tax in place, there are discussions on taking out bonds to carry out community projects.
It wasn’t stated whether there would be any increases of previously existing tax rates.
Jones said there are also in discussions over the library system in the township. He said the system funds 90 percent of its own operations and is looking at funding options.
Council will discuss and enact the budget at public hearings on the Nov. 5 and the Nov. 19 meetings.
Council member Meaghan Wagner expressed outrage at Jones about what she said was him calling her a liar in reference to a letter she spoke about at the last council meeting from the FOP about a possible $4.2 million penalty for a change of insurance carrier.
Meaghan Wagner (COURTESY PHOTO)
Jones said he was not referring to her, and apologized how it came across. He said the story that the health insurance had changed was a lie. He said they alerted police and fire unions months ago about the change.
Finally it was announced Second District Council Member Jess Branas had resigned, and it was effective Thursday.
In an interview Thursday, Branas said the reason was family concerns. Her mother has been diagnosed with aphasia and she is returning to Lancaster to assist her parents.
Jess Branas (Courtesy of Upper Darby)
Branas said she struggled with the decision over the past few months, and when she put her home up for sale, it quickly sold.
Branas, the first openly gay member of council, said she was proud of her work on council, particularly the passage of the safe haven ordinance stating the township is a safe and welcoming community for LGBTQ+ individuals and their families when it comes to rights for gender health care.
Council members will interview a replacement and vote on it at a coming meeting.
Originally Published: October 17, 2025 at 10:15 AM EDT