February 13, 2010
Amended Budget Meeting
In Attendance: Chairman Maureen Sterner, Supervisor George Ewald, Secretary/Treasurer Maria Wieand, and members of the general public.
Chairman Sterner called the meeting to order at 10:07 a.m. beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance. Chairman Sterner read a resignation letter from Supervisor Robert Delese. A motion to accept his resignation was made by Chairman Sterner, seconded by Supervisor Ewald, there being no comments the motion passed unanimously.
Secretary/Treasurer Wieand presented the bill list in the amount of $187,905.67, a motion to approve and pay the bills made by Chairman Sterner, seconded by Supervisor Ewald. Comments and questions were addressed from the public and the motion passed unanimously.
Proposed 2010 Amended Budget was presented by Chairman Sterner and she noted a letter from Berkheimer was received after the last budget meeting and it noted the 2009 EIT prior year/delinquents were inflated due to a collection from previous years from Central Tax Bureau. Supervisor Ewald explained his calculations and Treasurer Wieand indicated it will be a $78,000 less figure for EIT and she calculated that according to the distribution in percentages of 46% current, 26% prior year, and 28% delinquent. Regional Police was returned to the original amount for the pension allocation of $68,119, bringing our Budget to a $2,024,637.00. Supervisor Ewald recommended that in the fall of 2010 a committee be formed to participate in the planning of the budget.
Chairman Sterner commented that a letter was received by Jim Lambert on February 10, 2010 with questions pertaining to the budget that he would like addressed at the meeting. With the meeting being rescheduled until today because of weather, she agreed to address his questions at this time. Chairman Sterner read each and gave a brief explanation to his questions one at a time. Chairman Sterner gave a huge thank you to Tom Kraft for coming in during the snow storm and assisting with snow plowing. Secretary/Treasurer Wieand gave her report of the review of finances since she took over in 2008 and went as far back as 2003 in the general operating account to give the public an overview of our financial situation. In the seven years that were reviewed, four (4) of those years the Township ended the general operating budget in negative numbers. She explained cash flow doesn’t begin arriving as revenue until the end of March/early April which means we need to have enough working capital available at the end of every fiscal year to carry us until cash flow begins to come in. In the past five (5) years that hasn’t happened and has caused the Township to be short every year after and pushed us into a corner that we couldn’t purchase needed supplies or equipment repairs to our current capital assets (trucks, equipment, etc.) Now that we had two (2) years of cost control, we can begin to repair our equipment to maintain its value while keeping it operational. We also need to save for the replacement of equipment and/or fund our reserves for capital improvements or replacement. Chairman Sterner indicated and reviewed our financial situation; after the bills are paid today, our general account will have $16,665.48, and she concurred with Treasurer Wieand that we need to get the Township moving in the right direction and this new proposed budget does just that. A motion to adopt the amended 2010 budget in the amount of $2,024,637.00 was present by Chairman Sterner, seconded by Supervisor Ewald, after comments and questions were addressed the motion passed unanimously.
Business:
Treasurer Wieand asked for a motion to borrow $100,000 from Capital Reserve with the understanding it will be replaced once cash flow from taxes starts arriving. Motion to grant the borrowing of $100,000 from the Capital Reserve Fund to the General fund made by Chairman Sterner, Seconded by Supervisor Ewald. There being no questions or comments the motion passed unanimously.
Public Comments:
Mike Gillen asked if the Board would address the letter delivered by him for Peg Yencho. Chairman Sterner read her letter requesting for change and good faith of the Board to undo what has been done. Chairman Sterner heard no other comments and motioned for meeting to adjourn, seconded by Supervisor Ewald. There being no other comments or questions the motion passed unanimously at 11:25 am.
Maria S. Wieand
Secretary/Treasurer