Budget
Township revenues remain flat and assessment appeals have reduced the Township’s overall valuation. The budget anticipates a 4% increase in expenditures due in part to contractual increases in salaries and a 9% increase in the cost of health benefits.
The preliminary budget for 2013 is proposed to meet annual operating expenditures with a 4% increase of the Township millage rate to 3.516. Properties assessed at the Township’s average value of $210,000 will see an increase of $2.67 per month (two dollars and sixty-seven cents).
The Township remains focused on stewardship of tax dollars as the proposed millage rate remains lower than it was 12 years ago when in 2000 the rate was 3.599. However, with rising fuel costs, labor costs, healthcare costs and much more over that time, it has only been possible to operate by underfunding such areas as capital improvements, the reserve fund and parks and recreation.
The 2013 budget begins to better address capital purchases and improvements including the replacement of aging public works equipment, police vehicles and fire rescue equipment. There is no increase in the parks and recreation millage but parks and recreation funding beyond annual operating expenses will be utilized for parks and recreation capital expenditures. The focus of all of these expenditures is to improve the quality of life for the local community.
The 2013 budget proposes to maintain the same sewer and trash rates in 2013.
The budget will be considered for adoption by the Board of Commissioners at their December 19, 2012 meeting which begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Township Building.