Here’s a roundup of the latest news and resources for Pennsylvania townships and boroughs:
Grants and Funding
- Recycling Performance Grants Now Available: DEP is accepting applications for the Municipal Recycling Program Performance Grant (Section 904 Grants) for eligible materials recycled and marketed in calendar year 2024, with the deadline approaching on December 31, 2025. (https://www.psats.org/recycling-performance-grants-now-available/)
- USDA Funding to Help Housing and Economic Development in Rural Areas: USDA Rural Development is accepting applications for the Rural Community Development Initiative Grants program to assist with capacity-building in rural areas, with the online application deadline on August 7, 2025. (https://www.psats.org/usda-funding-to-help-housing-and-economic-development-in-rural-areas/)
- Dirt, Gravel, Low-Volume Maintenance Grants Benefit Townships: The program provides grant funding through county conservation districts to townships for environmentally sound road maintenance practices that eliminate stream pollution. (https://www.psats.org/dirt-gravel-low-volume-maintenance-grants-benefit-townships/)
Safety and Regulations
- AI and the Right-to-Know Law: Be Aware of the Risks and How to Respond: Township open-records officers must be aware that AI-generated Right-to-Know Law submissions may contain “AI hallucinations,” and should direct questions to their solicitor for authentic legal precedent. (https://www.psats.org/ai-and-the-right-to-know-law-be-aware-of-the-risks-and-how-to-respond/)
Other Updates
- Budget for Higher Electric Rates: PJM’s recent capacity auction closed at a record high price for the second consecutive year, so townships should budget accordingly for electric bill increases between 1.5% and 5% starting in June 2026. (https://www.psats.org/budget-for-higher-electric-rates/)
- Federal Changes to Taxes: The recently signed H.R.1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, introduces a temporary above-the-line deduction for qualified overtime pay and a charitable contributions deduction, both effective for the 2026 tax year. (https://www.psats.org/federal-changes-to-taxes/)
We hope this update provides valuable information for Montgomery County townships. Please check the PSATS website for more news and resources.