Monroeville · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Monroeville public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Backyard Chicken Special Exceptions
The Zoning Board is considering a request to allow a resident to keep up to four chickens and a coop in an R-2 single-family neighborhood. This touches on local rules for livestock and urban agriculture in residential areas.
2027 Preliminary Municipal Budget Deficit
Monroeville is shaping its spending plan for the upcoming year, balancing department operating costs, infrastructure needs, and employee benefits. Residents can review proposed revenues and expenditures to see how public funds will be managed.
Monroeville Convention Center Tax Exemption Status
A resident raised questions about whether Grace Life Church, operating in the former hotel, is running a daycare and school without proper review, potentially skipping taxes it should pay.
Workers' compensation and insurance premiums
The workers' comp experience mod jumped to 1.732 after a 2023 year that included an employee death and two officers shot; workers' comp is budgeted up 20% to $1.08 million and liability/property up to $1.3 million.
Annual Commodity and Public Works Bids
Road salt jumped from $93 to $160 per ton amid a regional shortage, diesel nearly doubled to $4.73/gallon, and waste tipping fees rose to $11.26/ton — driving snow-and-ice, fuel, and refuse budgets up.
Library funding level and benchmarking
The library requests a $65,755 (4.3%) increase to about $1.56 million. Some residents want it cut to match comparable communities; the library board president and supporters urged full funding, citing a $4.25 return per dollar and 30% non-municipal funding.
2027 General Fund Budget and Use of Reserves
The proposed ~$44.4 million general fund budget balances with $2.5 million in OPEB transfers and $1.5 million of fund balance. The manager warned that without a tax increase, staffing cuts, or service reductions, reserves could fall below sustainable levels by 2029–2030.
Earned income tax loss from business relocation
A company left Monroeville for East Liberty, taking $600,000 in tax revenue with it, plus a $125,000 refund owed — a warning sign for a flat tax base.
Economic development position to fill vacant storefronts
A proposed new full-time position would work to fill empty storefronts and vacant buildings and grow the tax base — net staffing would rise to 178 with the police records clerk.
Road program and stormwater improvements
Road resurfacing remains the top capital priority (~$14.1 million in the five-year plan); recent work included 12 new catch basins on Logan's Ferry Road and widening Lynwood Drive.
Boards and Commissions Vacancies
Monroeville needs local volunteers to step up and fill open spots on town boards and authorities. It is an easy way to get a direct say in how your local government makes decisions.
Police Department Leadership and Crime Center Partnership
The Police Department maintains a target staffing level of 50 officers while managing vacancies, short-term leaves, and increasing administrative mandates like tracking traffic stops and right-to-know requests.
Leaf Collection
Monroeville's curbside leaf pickup is happening now through November 28th, so rake your yard waste to the curb before time runs out. Don't miss this window, or you'll be stuck dealing with all those leaves yourself.
Proposed Vehicle Wash Development on Monroeville Boulevard
A&L Realty is replacing an older commercial building at 2655 Monroeville Boulevard with a new single-bay car wash. The facility will primarily service dealership vehicles while also opening to the public, with developers projecting minimal traffic impact.
Monroeville Mall Revitalization and Cypress Equities
Residents expressed frustration over a lack of shopping and dining options within Monroeville, noting that businesses have left the community and asking what council is doing to attract new retail.
Fire Department Truck 5 Grant Application
Council approved applying for two grants: a $75,000 youth out-of-school grant and a $200,000 DOJ grant for a senior justice unit.
Woodhaven Drive Drainage and Flooding
Residents from Woodhaven Drive raised concerns about severe backyard flooding and stream erosion during recent storms, urging the municipality to address drainage issues and enforce yard waste rules.
School Zone Traffic Safety and Signage
Residents questioned why Gateway Middle School lacks official PennDOT-approved school zone safety signs and reduced speed limits along Route 48 and Old William Penn Highway.
Ethics Code Modernization
An ethics board member proposed updating Monroeville's 36-year-old ethics code to create an independent reporting path and online submission form, removing the requirement to file complaints through the municipal manager.