Board of Supervisors Budget Workshop Meeting

The Board of Supervisors held a budget workshop on October 23, 2013, with all three members present. No public comment was offered. The Finance Director led a line-by-line review of the 2014 draft budget, focusing on smaller departments. In Administration, the Finance Director recommended decreasing engineering costs by $5,000 due to the plan to hire an in-house engineer, while keeping legal services and advertising flat. The township spent $53,647 on codification, which the township manager said should be a one-time expense. The Township Communications line for the newsletter will increase to $25,000. Intergovernmental Cooperation includes $10,000 for border markers with Findlay Township, currently under solicitor review. Building maintenance will be reduced from the anticipated $15,000 year-end figure. Salaries are budgeted with a 3.5 percent increase for planning purposes, pending an executive session. Health insurance costs rose only 2 percent, but the budget increases because more individuals are being covered at the family rate. The Tax Collector budget will decrease. The Library contribution remains at $184,000, paid quarterly. Debt service is unchanged following the bond refinancing. The Finance Director noted that the Prior Year Adjustment line covers training and conferences. A discussion followed on earned income tax collection procedures; the Finance Director will explore better reporting options with the township manager. Regarding real estate taxes, a supervisor observed that the millage rate will likely need to change. The Finance Director confirmed that because the county dropped assessments by $60 million, the township must adjust the millage to maintain revenue. The Chairman stressed the need to finalize the budget before the preliminary adoption in November and to prepare a public explanation for the December televised meeting. The next budget workshop is set for November 4 at 5:30 p.m. The meeting adjourned.