Lansford Borough Council is running out of time to adopt a spending plan for 2026.

Council did not have a quorum for a special meeting Monday night to adopt its preliminary budget for 2026, Council President Bruce Markovich said.

Only three members showed up for Monday’s special meeting. In addition to Markovich, council members Joe Butrie and Gwyneth Collevechio were in attendance.

Four members are need for a quorum. Absent were council members Michele Bartek, George Gilbert, Jack Soberick and Jennifer Staines.

Council had planned on adopting a tentative 2026 budget at its regular meeting last week, but tabled action on the spending plan after residents raised questions about staff salaries and other issues.

A preliminary budget must be adopted and opened for public inspection and review for 10 days before a final budget can be adopted. A final budget is required by Dec. 31.

“Since, it will be impossible to pass a budget to meet the deadline, we can only pay salaries, reoccurring expenses, streetlights, insurance, etc., until a budget is passed,” Markovich said.

The latest that council could meet and adopt a preliminary budget to meet the 10-day inspection requirement is Dec. 21, and then adopt a final budget on Dec. 31.

Last week, borough Solicitor Bob Yurchak confirmed to the Times News that preliminary approval and 10-day public review are needed before a final budget.

“Budgets have to be approved by December 31st, or bills cannot be paid after that date if there is no budget in place,” Yurchak said in an email Thursday.

He also pointed out that a budget can be reopened in January following an election year by a new, reorganized council.

“But one has to be in place before it can be reopened,” he said.

A reopened budget must be adopted by Feb. 15.