Manager: Bristol Twp. Had Budget Surplus In 2015

Bristol Township’s manager said the community came in under budget and had a general fund surplus in 2015.

Township Manager Bill McCauley told the council and taxpayers the results of a financial report for 2015. He said the report is subject to some change but provided a general overview.

McCauley stated the township came in $1.1 million under budget in 2015 and earned $1.6 million in higher than expected revenues. The better-than-expected numbers will give the township a $2.7 million surplus in the general fund.

The recreation department came in $72,000 under budget and had a surplus of $68,481, which McCauley said was very rare. Other funds, including liquid fuels and refuse, ended up also having surpluses totaling more than a million dollars last year.

A $389,000 surplus in the capital fund will help the community pay for projects that need to be completed, McCauley said.

The township’s sewer fund did face a deficit of $376,990. Repairs at the sewer plant in Croydon was the reason for the deficit due to damage caused to equipment. McCauley said the township is planning to seek a refund from a contractor who did work at the plant in 2011. The contractor reportedly used the wrong screws, which eventually rusted away and caused the issue.

The street light fund also had a deficit.

Fairless Hills resident Barbra Bills asked whether there would be a refund due to the refuse fund doing so well. Council members didn’t provide a firm answer.

“This is a pretty good determination of how we did for the year,” McCauley said of the report he used to obtain the numbers.

“I like having a surplus of money. Better than having a deficit,” Council President Craig Bowen said.