2010 Budget & Taxes
The Board of Commissioners, on December 14, 2009 approved the 2010 Township Budget; the original proposed budget may be viewed through the link below. The proposed Operating Budget for 2010 totals approximately $66,000,000, does not require any layoffs, and will include additional Township services rather than the cuts in service originally proposed. Specifically, the Township will institute a once weekly (Wednesday) yard waste pickup during 2010, for leaves, clippings and other similar items. By having a separate yard waste pickup, we can eliminate taking those items to the County landfill (which charges us for dumping) and can instead compost the materials for use by residents.
Unfortunately, the Budget includes a 4.5 percent tax increase, or $44 for the median home assessed at $160,000, which is less than most neighboring communities' and the County's increases. The trash disposal fee will also increase by $10 to $135, and that fee remains less than all of our neighboring communities' similar fees; it costs the Township more than $200 per household to pick up trash.
Unfortunately, the following factors led to the tax increase:
- 1.8% ($48,000) increase in the Minimum Monthly Obligation (MMO) (pension contributions)
- 3.5% ($73,000) increase in the RHM Sewer expenses
- 4% ($906,000) wage increase for non-uniformed workers
- 4% ($295,000) wage increase for uniformed personnel (Fraternal Order of Police)
- 13% ($616,200) increase in medical benefits
- 47% ($158,000) increase in the Delaware County Trash Deposal fee.
Meanwhile, the Township still faces large reduction in key revenue items, and expects to see reduced revenues from realty transfer, mercantile and business privilege taxes.
I remain committed to avoiding future tax increases.