ADAMS TWP. — Mars Borough’s six full-time employees would be offered positions with the combined municipality at their current rate of pay or higher if voters approve the proposed merger with Adams Township, Township Manager Mike Tylka said at a recent Butler County Chamber of Commerce event.
His presentation provided details about the financial and operational effects of the proposal voters will consider in November.
The ballot question asks whether Mars Borough should merge into Adams Township and whether the combined municipality should be renamed Mars Township. If approved, the merger would take effect Jan. 1, 2028.
Under Pennsylvania law, Tylka explained, Mars Borough’s municipal government would cease to exist and become part of Adams Township. The township government would remain in place but would operate under the new name.
Mars Mayor Gregg Hartung added that residents have asked whether Adams Township has a mayor. It does not, and the combined municipality would continue operating under the township form of government.
“I get to retire after 12 years as mayor if the merger goes through,” Hartung joked.
Financial projection shows potential savings
Mars Borough, he said, has the county’s highest municipal property-tax rate.
Tylka presented a projection showing how Mars’ budget could operate under Adams Township’s lower tax rate while also removing expenses that would no longer need to be duplicated after the merger.
Even after lowering Mars residents’ taxes to the Adams Township rate, Tylka said a conservative projection of Mars’ finances shows approximately $125,000 more in revenue than expenses once merger-related efficiencies are implemented.
Tylka also noted Mars has approximately $3.2 million in property and equipment that could be liquidated or incorporated into the combined municipality.
Neither municipality is carrying debt, he added.
“It makes financial sense,” said Tylka. “It’s a good thing. I think so.”
Tylka emphasized that, as an appointed municipal official, his role is to provide information rather than campaign for the proposal.
He also addressed concerns that Adams Township residents could be required to pay for road improvements in Mars.
Adams Township resurfaced approximately 6.25 miles of roads this year for $832,000, he said, with the work funded entirely through its state liquid-fuels allocation rather than local property-tax revenue. Mars also receives state liquid-fuels funding, which would be combined with the township’s allocation following a merger.
No full-time employees would lose their jobs
Under that agreement, Mars Borough’s six full-time employees would be offered positions with the combined municipality at their current rate of pay or higher, Tylka further explained.
“Nobody loses their job,” he said.
The agreement would also establish an advisory committee comprising Mars officials and department leaders. The committee would serve during 2027 and 2028, with the option to extend its term, and participate in discussions involving the transition of municipal departments and services.
That work would begin in 2027 and could continue into 2029 or 2030.
Tylka said the goal is to have the administrative work completed before the official merger date so residents experience little disruption.
“Our goal is that Jan. 1, 2028, is simply just a name change for the municipality,” he said.
Police departments would operate under one command
Public safety is among the most significant operational considerations.
Mars Borough does not currently provide around-the-clock police coverage, Tylka said, and Adams Township officers already respond to calls in the borough through mutual-aid agreements.
Under the merger, the Mars and Adams police departments would operate under one command structure, combining their personnel and resources.
“Adams taxpayers are essentially already funding for that,” Tylka said of mutual-aid responses. “But now we’ll bring all that revenue under one source.”
Municipal public-works departments would also combine. The new municipality would assume responsibility for Mars Borough’s water-treatment operation, while other services and equipment would be consolidated.
Mars’ three parks would come under a parks and recreation department that already has a full-time director. Tylka said the township does not anticipate eliminating Mars’ downtown community events and would instead look for opportunities to expand them.
Library helped initiate merger discussion
Tylka said the proposed municipal merger grew from a conversation about the future of the Mars Area Public Library.
Adams Township had been setting aside money to support a new library, but township officials questioned whether they should construct and own a facility in a separate municipality.
During a library meeting, Adams Township supervisors Chairman Russ Ford raised the possibility of combining the two municipalities with Mar Borough President Mike Fleming.
“The library was the impetus for this merger discussion,” Tylka said.
Plans call for the library to remain in downtown Mars, potentially at the current NexTier Bank property. The first floor could include public restrooms capable of serving downtown festivals and other community events.
Tylka said officials hope the new library could become a catalyst for additional investment in downtown Mars.
“That public investment can drive further private investment,” he said.
State officials have also encouraged the municipalities to pursue grants if voters approve the merger, Tylka said.
Township would adopt Mars name
Tylka said approximately 278 people attended the first public meeting on the merger. Officials learned from that meeting that retaining the Mars name was particularly important to borough residents.
Mars serves as the area’s downtown, school-district name and mailing address for much of Adams Township, he said.
As part of the proposal, Adams Township would be renamed Mars Township. Adams Community Park, however, would retain its current name in recognition of the township’s identity and history.
Residents would not have to add the word “Township” to their mailing addresses, Tylka said. Township officials obtained confirmation from the U.S. Postal Service after questions about potential address changes emerged during public meetings.
Reaching Adams voters may be the challenge
Although Mars has more elected officials available to discuss the proposal directly with residents, he said Adams Township must find ways to reach a much larger population.
“I think there’s still some work to do in Adams Township,” said Tylka.
The township has been publishing weekly one-minute videos and answers to residents’ questions on its website and social-media channels. Tylka said officials are looking for additional ways to explain the proposal before voters decide its future in November.
The merger must be approved independently by voters in both Mars Borough and Adams Township on Nov. 3 before the municipalities can begin the formal transition toward becoming Mars Township in 2028.
Voters in both municipalities will see the following question on the Nov. 3 ballot:
“Shall the Borough of Mars, a Pennsylvania municipality organized under the Borough Code, be merged into the Township of Adams, a Pennsylvania Township of the Second Class, and with the Township being renamed Mars Township, a Pennsylvania Township of the Second Class, effective January 1, 2028?”
The next merger meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 1. Location to be determined.