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Board of Supervisors |
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Notes from |
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DOYLESTOWN TOWNSHIP
2009 BUDGET WORK SESSION
October 7, 2008
5:30 PM |
In attendance were: Barbara N. Lyons, Chairman,
E. Thomas Scarborough, Jr, Vice Chairman; Barbara Eisenhardt;
Cynthia Philo, and Jeffrey Bennett. Also in attendance Stephanie
J. Mason, Township Manager, William Wightman, Finance Officer;
Richard John, Director of Operations; and David Nettina, Ways
and Means.
Mr. Wightman indicated that at the Ways and Means Committee
meeting we were showing a $206,000 shortfall in operations. The
Department Heads went back and cut $235,000 in the proposed 2009
Budget.
Received in the mail from Berkheimer was a letter which
indicated that our earned income tax projections and local
services tax projects for 2009 will be significantly down. The
reason is based on three or four residents who’s 2008 earnings
were somewhat inflated from what they normally pay to earned
income tax. So we expect a revenue short fall of $389,000.
Also, the estimated numbers from the state on pension, liquid
fuels is also projected to be somewhat down. Also the bond
rebate a little over $13,000 belongs to the DTMA. So now we have
to find $404,071.
The capital project list, which has already been cut by $760,000
was reviewed. Initially, the capital project list had $2,277,582
on it. It was determined to cut it further.
Mr. Nettina questioned retaining the reserve fund and financing,
developing multi-year plan without increasing taxes and dipping
into the reserve significantly. Perhaps in 2010 we can begin to
do that. Make sure that the budget gaps don’t get wider.
Mr. Nettina indicated that the current economic times may result
in service reductions. Also, taking $50,000 allocated for the
Ambulance Service and equating it not only on expenditure but in
the revenue side needs to be addressed.
Ms. Eisenhardt indicated that you have to provide ambulance
service by law and she believes that we can assume that the
referendum will pass so that we only need to make up $350,000.
We want to make sure there is a clarity to the numbers. We need
to understand the short term and the long term issues facing
this community.
Mr. Bennett indicated that it seems that the fund balance at the
end of 2009 would be $1.5M.
Ms. Lyons suggested that we need to see how the overall economy
shakes out as well.
Mr. Bennett continued to say that the earned income tax was up
$200,000 over what was budgeted in 2008. We could use it toward
the revenue short fall. We have already cut $760,000 from
capital. We could use that to balance the operations and move
forward.
The Board further reviewed the list of capital items made by the
department heads and looked at possibly leasing instead of
purchasing vehicles in the police department. Looked at also
reducing the wetlands trail in Morgan Hill as well as some other
items.
Mr. John suggested that the DTMA offer $28,000 proceeds from the
bond and then $150,000 toward capital to build the cold storage
building that the DTMA would have a portion of and would not
have to pay rent for three (3) years.
The Board directed the staff to look at balancing the budget
this way and to come back at a meeting in a week and determine
if it can accomplish that goal.
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at
7PM.
Being no further business the Budget Work Session adjourned.
Respectfully submitted by
Stephanie J. Mason
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Authored by Development Solutions