Draft Budget Adopted and Available For Public Comment
November 2009
The East Rockhill Township Board of Supervisors adopted a draft 2009 Budget totaling $4,246,470 for all funds. The balancing figure is $43,210 less than the 2008 Budget.
Township Manager Anne Klepfer informed the Board that the General Fund and Sewer Fund theme this year is cutbacks. She said that while she continues to look for ways to reduce costs without cutting services, the budget cuts made were not sufficient to compensate for the declining market-driven revenues and increased costs for fuel-related products and services, electricity, state mandated pension contributions, and police services.
Despite a projected staff reduction, a reduction in healthcare benefits, a fleet reduction, and the elimination of capital purchases, Klepfer informed the Board that a projected 1.2 mill increase to the general municipal real estate tax is included in the draft budget. “I’m asking you to consider an average $45 tax increase,” Klepfer said at the Nov. 18 board meeting. “I’ve cut everything I can cut and we do not have sufficient cash reserves to weather the economic storm that is affecting everyone.” The Board of Supervisors noted at that meeting that the township will still need to borrow money for operations during the first quarter of the year until taxes are received in April.
In addition, Klepfer projects a $10 rate increase to sewer rent, but noted that East Rockhill Township’s rates are still among the lowest in Bucks County.
The draft budget is available for public review at the Township Office, 1622 N. Ridge Road. You may also view the majority of the budget documents online. The Board of Supervisors will consider all public comments and adopt a final budget at their December 16, 2008 Regular Meeting.
