Columbia Spy

Following are summaries of the Pennsylvania Auditor General’s reports on two Columbia Borough pension plans. A link to the original document is provided at the end of each summary.

Summary: Compliance Audit Report for the Columbia Borough Police Pension Plan

This is a compliance audit report for the Columbia Borough Police Pension Plan in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, conducted by the Pennsylvania Auditor General in January 2026.

Key Points:

The audit examined whether the pension plan was administered in compliance with state laws and regulations for the period January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2024. The audit found that the plan was mostly compliant, but identified two significant findings:

Finding No. 1: The borough failed to correct a prior issue where an ordinance was improperly amended by resolution rather than by a new ordinance.

Finding No. 2: The borough is paying excess pension benefits to a retiree that aren’t authorized by the plan’s governing document. Specifically, the retiree is receiving $274 per month more than authorized (totaling approximately $17,449 in excess payments). This occurred because certain pay items were improperly included when calculating the retiree’s average compensation for their Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) benefit.

Auditor’s Concern: Both findings repeat issues from a prior audit that have not been corrected. The auditor expressed concern about the borough’s failure to implement previous recommendations and strongly encouraged timely corrective action.

Recommendations: The borough should adjust the retiree’s pension benefit prospectively to match what’s authorized, and may need to reimburse the Commonwealth for any excess state aid received due to these overpayments.

LINK

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Summary: Compliance Audit Report for Columbia Borough’s Non-Uniformed Pension Plan

This is a compliance audit report for Columbia Borough’s Non-Uniformed Pension Plan in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, conducted by the Pennsylvania Auditor General in January 2026.

Main Purpose: The audit examined whether the pension plan was administered in compliance with state laws and whether prior recommendations were addressed.

Key Findings:

The audit identified two compliance issues:

Restated Plan Document Not Adopted by Ordinance (repeat finding) – The pension plan’s terms were updated in a separate agreement with the plan custodian in 2013, but the governing ordinance was never formally amended to reflect these changes. This creates potential inconsistencies in benefit provisions.

Failure to Properly Fund Members’ Accounts – The borough incorrectly funded employee pension accounts from 2020-2024:

Underfunded in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023

Overfunded in 2024

The borough must now pay interest on delinquent contributions.

Management Response: Borough officials acknowledged both findings. For the funding issue, they cited staff turnover and have implemented corrective measures including hiring a third-party administrator and clarifying the definition of compensation in the plan document.

Overall Conclusion: Aside from these two findings, the plan was administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The auditor expressed concern that the ordinance issue remains unresolved from the prior audit.

LINK

Matthew Albert Rowley

https://crimewatch.net/us/pa/lancaster/da/11617/post/city-man-charged-attempted-criminal-homicide-stemming-columbia-borough-fight-waives

JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY 

Despite a 2024 tax hike that took the tax rate to 10 mills, Columbia Borough finds itself in a growing fiscal crisis as officials are seeking a $2 million bridge loan to cover expenses during early 2026. At Tuesday night’s meeting, council voted unanimously to begin the process of applying for the loan.

The borough’s financial troubles became apparent last year when it fell short of meeting its expenses by more than $1 million at year’s end. In spite of the shortfall, borough council decided not to raise taxes, instead balancing the budget by drawing from reserves. That decision left the reserve fund at about $300,000, a level officials acknowledged is “uncomfortably low.” 

The borough is seeking $2 million to pay for operations until tax payments arrive in April 2026. Of course, the loan would need to be paid back—with interest. 

Borough officials are exploring several revenue-generating options that could potentially reduce or eliminate the need for a tax increase in 2027:

• Sale of borough sheds
• Sale of the former firehouse on Front Street
• Sale of a portion of property at 11th Street and Ridge Avenue
• Sale of the former McGinness property
• Anticipated receipt of $1.75 million in state RACP funds for the market house, although hopes for receiving this money continue to diminish.

In addition, the borough recently auctioned off several acres of the borough farm for close to $1 million. Revenue from the sales of these properties goes into the capital fund and not the general fund used for operating expenses. 

There are significant expenses to be addressed. The Columbia Crossing building needs $400,000 in repairs, in addition to operating expenses.  (The building does not generate any revenue for the borough. In fact, it costs taxpayers to manage and maintain it.) A planned maintenance building at 11th Street and Ridge Avenue is projected to cost several million dollars. The Walnut Street project, which is on hold, will also entail significant expense.  Additionally, the borough is still paying off a $9 million series of municipal bonds taken out 10 years ago.

If borough officials can’t find ways to increase revenue and decrease expenses, they’ll have no choice but to raise taxes again for next year. 

Note: During the meeting, the loan was alternately referred to as a bridge loan, a line of credit, a tax anticipation note (TAN), and a revenue anticipation note (RAN).

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that a bridge inspection is scheduled for next week on the Route 30 (Wrights Ferry) Bridge spanning the Susquehanna River between Hellam Township in York County and Columbia Borough in Lancaster County.

Weather permitting, the inspection will be performed from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM Wednesday, February 18 through Friday, February 20. There will be lane restrictions on the bridge during work hours. Traffic will be restricted in one direction at a time.

Work will begin in the westbound direction (Lancaster County to York County) and then move to the eastbound (York County to Lancaster County) direction. The right lane and shoulder will be closed during the inspection.

Travelers are reminded to be alert for these operations, to obey work zone signs, and to use caution when driving through work zones for their safety, as well as for the safety of the inspection crews.

Drivers can check conditions on major roadways by visiting 511PA. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,200 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional X alerts.

Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.pa.gov/DOTprojects. Subscribe to PennDOT news and find transportation results in Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry and York counties at www.pa.gov/DOTdistrict8. 

Find PennDOT news on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

MEDIA CONTACT: Dave Thompson 717-418-5018, dmthompson@pa.gov

JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY 

Columbia Borough Council is scheduled to present a Request for Proposals (RFP) for purchase of the former McGinness airport property, at the February 10, 2026 council meeting. The borough is seeking technical concepts and plans, and bids for the redevelopment of 41.388-acres at 1020 Manor Street.

The RFP, which will officially be released on March 30, 2026, seeks an experienced developer to purchase and transform the property into a development that will expand the borough’s tax base and create jobs. Bids are due by May 15, 2026, with a required minimum bid of $6.2 million.

[The previous sentence was updated to read a “required minimum bid,” to reflect a change made at the February 10 meeting. The document provided in the meeting packet read “requested minimum bid.”]

Development Details
The property is zoned Light Business, allowing for various light business and industrial uses. According to the RFP, the borough is open to proposals for either one large building or multiple smaller structures.

Public water, sewer, and high-speed internet are available at the street. The site is accessible from Route 441 via a railroad bridge underpass and sits just three blocks from Route 462 and one mile from Route 30.

The borough has secured funding through the Pennsylvania Business In Our Sites (BIOS) program and may be able to transfer remaining grant funds to the selected buyer through the Economic Development Company of Lancaster County.

Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated on demonstrated track record, scope of work detail, financial readiness, community benefits, project timeline, and bid price. The borough is particularly interested in developments that align with community goals and provide employment opportunities.

Questions will be accepted up to seven days before the bid closing date. The winning bidder will be announced within 30 days of bid opening and must provide a 4% deposit within 10 days and execute a purchase contract within 45 days.

Environmental and geotechnical studies, along with concept plans, are available on the borough website. A pre-bid meeting and tour is scheduled for April 8, 2026 at 10 a.m.

[Source: Columbia Borough Council Meeting packet, dated February 10, 2026]

For more information, visit: 

www.columbiapa.net/departments/mcginness_redevelopment_plans

The meeting packet is HERE.

Martin Hans Joseph conveyed 211 S. Second St. to Pent Rock Properties LLC for $200,000.

Burkhart Adam R., Burkhart Megan E. conveyed 601 Manor St. to JDW Property Solutions Inc. for $125,000.

David M. Heisey conveyed 1127 Grinnell Ave. to Steven E. Beaston for $180,000.

Aguirre Carmen R., Ramirez Jose C. conveyed 1026 Hilmar Circle to Aguirre Carmen Rivera, Ramirez Elenalys for $1.

The estate of Dawn R. Moore conveyed property on South Sixth Street to FMJ Real Estate LLC for $160,000.

Charles Marie Jose conveyed 913 Spruce St. to Cisnero Junior J. Taveras for $185,000.

Lancaster Area Habitat For Humanity Inc., Lancaster Lebanon Habitat For Humanity conveyed 239 S. Fifth St. to Bahrami Shafiqullah, Bahrami Bibi Sora for $321,000.

Magdalen E. Wrede conveyed 214 S. Third St. to Ian Polite for $85,000.

By TODD STAHL

❄️ ICE SAFETY AWARENESS ❄️

Frozen lakes, ponds, and rivers may look safe—but appearances can be deceiving. Ice conditions can change quickly due to weather, currents, and underwater obstacles. What looks solid today may be dangerously thin tomorrow.

✅ Before You Go on the Ice:

• Remember: No ice is ever completely safe

• Check thickness (minimum 4” for foot traffic)

• Wear a life jacket or flotation suit

• Carry ice picks and a throw rope

• Go with a partner—never alone

• Let someone know your plan

⚠️ If Someone Falls Through:

• Call 911 immediately

• Do NOT run onto the ice

• Use Reach, Throw, or Row—never Go

• Use a pole, rope, jacket, or flotation device

• Keep low and spread your weight

🧊 Cold Water Danger:

Cold water can cause rapid breathing, muscle weakness, and exhaustion in minutes. Quick, smart actions save lives.

Your safety matters. Think before you step. 

Todd Stahl brings over 30 years of experience in Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Medical Services. He is a certified Pennsylvania Emergency Medical Technician and has served in multiple leadership roles, from Lieutenant through Fire Chief. Since 1997, Todd has been dedicated to providing Water Safety Education, earning instructor credentials through the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission at all levels of instruction. He has conducted more than 1,400 training programs and educated over 15,000 students. Stahl earned an Associate’s Degree in Public Safety & Security Administration.

This week’s photos of Columbia

Click on photos to see larger, sharper images.

JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY 

Saturday sunset (enhanced)

Art: @anndope

State Theatre Vintage Emporium 

Robins hanging around 

The clock tower’s backside 

Lions emerging from the snow

Ice-covered downspout at the Market House 

At the bridge plaza 

Tractor in the snow on Bridge Street 

More snow

Hydrant in the snow

Onward to the bridge!

Another lion emerging 

Another victim of PennDOT?

Yet another robin

Cedar waxwing

Even more robins

Down at the ramp

Wheelbarrows with wood

Highway workers are still at it . . .

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At the town square 

Ready for next time

Also ready for next time

Work has resumed at the former Columbia Drive-in site. The work had stalled for a couple of years.

One assumes that this is still the plan for the site:

“A planned development that will include 18,000 square feet of retail space, a 3,000 square foot restaurant, a 3,500 square foot bank, 163 mid-rise apartments, and 9 low-rise townhomes, according to West Hempfield Township Planning Commission meeting minutes of May 16, 2019. The project was also discussed at the February 2, 2021 and October 5, 2021 West Hempfield Township Supervisors’ meetings.”

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