It appears all but certain that South Whitehall Township's 29-year string of no property tax increases will be broken and broken big.
The board of commissioners granted township officials permission to advertise the budget for public inspection that contains a more than 33 percent tax increase of .6 mills.
Should commissioners adopt the budget at their December 17th meeting, it will mean the average homeowner will pay an additional $168 per year, according to Howard Kutzler, the township's director of administration.
"We've done everything we could do," said Commissioner David Bond of the efforts commissioners made during their budget sessions to lower the impact on residents. "We're all in the same boat."
"To provide a level of service this township expects, this is where we are at," Kutzler said.
The tax increase will help the township restore their depleted general fund.
For years, Kutzler explained, the township has been averting tax increases by procuring cash out of the "rainy day" fund and it's come to the point where that fund has to be replenished.
The tax increase would do just that, providing the township with about $1.35 million in additional revenue.
Township officials said the vast majority of the debt was not of their making, noting that rising payroll costs and a collective bargaining agreement were just two of the culprits beyond their control.
"When you get down to it there's not a lot of bells and whistles in this budget," said Bond. "It's very lean."
But even thin people eat and the township still has to invest money in certain functions, such as maintaining a police department and public works.
Bond added that the township is "taking risks" on some items that should be replaced, but are not due to the lack of money.
He added that none of those risks, however, jeopardized public safety.
Should commissioners approve the budget next month, it will be the first time a tax increase has pinched township residents since 1985.
"It's tough," was the way Bond summed up the situation. "...We all live here too."
The budget will appear on the township's website for public review starting Tuesday, November 25th, and will also be available for inspection by any township resident by visiting the municipal building..
In other business, commissioners announced that the township's Christmas tree lighting ceremony will take place at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6th at the municipal building.
from 69News:Home http://ift.tt/1qYW1yS
0 commentaires:
Enregistrer un commentaire