Credit: Middletown Township
Middletown Township is set to vote on the 2015 budget at Monday’s Board of Supervisors meeting.
The budget, which has been under construction since the summer, will allow the township to continue to offer the same services that have been offered in 2014 without any type of proposed tax increase.
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The proposed budget will keep taxes at the current17.570 millage rate. The average property owner in the township will pay $514 in municipal taxes.
According to the budget summary, the earned income tax, at .5 percent, will raise about $4 million dollars.
According to a budget summary supplied by the Township Manager Stephanie Teoli Kuhls, the biggest problem that has faced the budget in recent years, but was addressed more thoroughly in this year’s budget talks, is that of a “structural imbalance,” within the general fund. However, according to Teoli Kuhls, significant progress was made in this year’s talks regarding making lasting repair on the recurring imbalances. This progress comes from emphasizing cost containment, said Teoli Kuhls.
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As a result of the new cost containment measures being pursued by the board, savings were found through many areas of the general fund.
Listening to competitive offers for health insurance in 2014 led to a savings of $240,000. Other areas where savings are large include the review and changes in fees charged by the township where $110,000 have been created in revenue. According to the document, “staff reductions and deferral of replacement of positions” allowed a savings estimated at $200,000.
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In recent years, the township has relied upon the Redevelopment Authority grant money for “vehicle and equipment replacement,” said Teoli Kuhls. This year again, the grant will be requested. The requested usage for the 2015 RDA grant includes nine vehicles totaling $450,000. There are three public works vehicles and six police vehicles being requested, according to the budget summary.
Within the report supplied by Kuhls is the information that the township has been reaffirmed to have an AA+ bond rating. The rating is described as “a reflection of the Township’s sound financial position and strong management.”
The Middletown Township Board of Supervisors is expected to approve the final adoption of the budget on their regular meeting on Dec. 15.
