For over three decades, Cranberry Township has been a destination for those seeking to live, work, and play in a vibrant, thriving community. The Board of Supervisors has led the charge not only to create a destination worth visiting but also to establish the infrastructure that ensures it is easily accessible.
Cranberry Township’s 2026 budget continues this longstanding commitment, utilizing innovative funding strategies and careful planning to enhance and expand the level of services in both the short and long term without an increase to General Fund tax millage.
The fiscally responsible budget coincides with a recent Moody’s Aaa bond rating, reflecting the Township’s robust financial position. The Township is one of only 14 municipalities in Pennsylvania—and the only one in Western Pennsylvania—to achieve an Aaa rating.
The $109,533,744 budget focuses on preserving and enhancing the community's identity, character, and livability while ensuring that high-quality services meeting current and future needs are delivered seamlessly. This includes an ever-increasing demand on assets and infrastructure, which continue to age and require constant attention.
“We’re pleased that the 2026 budget not only continues improving our community, but that it does so by being conscious of taxpayer funds while providing exceptional value to our residents,” said Bruce Hezlep, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. “For under $90 a month, the median household helps support an array of programs, services, and general operations that make Cranberry Township a place people want to live, work, and play.”
That includes police, fire, and emergency services; park and facility maintenance; infrastructure maintenance through the Public Works Department; and the Township Library.
To ensure the Township remains situated to maintain and expand these resources, the 2026 budget includes the creation of a new fund: the Recreational Investment Fund. The fund will be supported by a new 2.5 mil levy designed to reinvest in the Township’s parks, recreational facilities, trails, greenways, and open space. This equates to less than $60 per year for the average household in the Township to fund parks and recreation offerings.
Current planned recreation investments include improvements to the baseball and soccer turf fields to expand capacity, as well as upgrades to equipment, irrigation, and planting at Powell Farm. Additionally, solar lighting will be installed at the UPMC Passavant Sportsplex at Graham Park, enhancing accessibility and extending program opportunities. Ongoing recreational improvements include the addition of two new multipurpose recreation fields at Community Park North and the installation of fitness courts at Graham Park.
These items, along with several others, were outlined in the Greenways and Open Space Plan, adopted in 2025, and the Recreation, Park, and Open Space Plan, adopted in 2024.
Other budget highlights include:
- An expanded paving program allocating $2.5 million - $1 million than in 2025.
- Continued improvements at the Brandt Drive intersection to improve safety and mobility.
- A study of the Coal Run watershed, as well as other stormwater improvements to protect property and water quality.
- The continuation of the Missing Links Sidewalk Program, providing more pedestrian connections.
- Upgrades to the Brush Creek Water Pollution Control Facility’s solids handling process.
- Improvements to the Franklin Acres Pump Station
- Phase 1 of the Route 19 Waterline Replacement Project.
- Continued support for the Township’s Police, Fire, and EMS providers.
“Achieving this vision requires that we manage public resources with integrity, deliver services that exceed expectations, and make decisions that leave Cranberry Township stronger, more sustainable, and full of opportunity for generations to come,” said Township Manager Dan Santoro.
The Board of Supervisors will consider tentative approval of the 2026 budget at its meeting on November 20, with the budget document available for public review beginning November 21. It can be viewed online at cranberrytownship.org or in person at the Cranberry Library and the Customer Service Center.
The Board is expected to consider final approval at its meeting on December 11.