By Sean Patrick Murphy
The vote on the 2011 township budget has been postponed to Sept. 6.
The reason?
Bids for the township’s cell towers were what Township Manager Christopher Schultz called “unresponsive,” and so the council had to go out and rebid.
Schultz is hoping the cell towers sale will bring in another $1.2 million to a budget that has already been cut drastically.
“We cannot adopt until a successful bid is awarded,” Schultz said.
In the spring the budget referendum put forward to the public was voted down. That would have gone about $2.4 million above the 2 percent tax cap. The latest proposal is a $21.9 million budget, around $350,000 more than last year’s.
Under that proposal, the average homeowner would contribute around $1,046 to municipal taxes, up $47.90 from last year.
“The town has a fiscal dilemma,” Schultz said. “We need to figure a way to get out of it.”
As many as 30 township employees will lose their jobs if this amended budget is approved.
Schultz also said that services such as trash, leaves, and brush pickup may be suspended and there could be additional personnel cuts.
The township has already stopped curbside bulk trash and Saturday drop off, as well as personnel cuts in various departments.
And what about next year?
“We will be in a similar position as we are now or possibly a bit worse unless we can reduce expenses and raise additional revenues,” Schultz said.
Resident Randy Pace said he understands why council tabled the budget vote because of the cell towers situation.
“We need to do what’s best for the township,” he said. “It’s unfortunate that we’re having to sell assets to meet a budget deficit but the reality is that’s where we’re at.”
Pace said the 2011 budget should have been worked on earlier in the year.
“I think we’ve pushed it so far down the road that any changes or any significant gains are lost simply because we’re so late in the year,” he said.
Pace alleged that council has been aware of the financial situation but has been unwilling to act.
“They knew in February what the requirements were should the referendum fail — it failed [and] I don’t believe they were prepared and that’s why we’re standing here pushing the budget to September,” he said.
Schultz, who started as township manager after the budget process was underway, said he can’t comment on what was done or not done during the budget process.
“Since I came on board I have looked at the budget to find away to keep services intact for the balance of the year,” he said. “Although I would prefer the stability of the annual cell tower revenue I have an obligation to provide council with their options.”
So where does the township go from here?
“There may be services curtailed or provided in different formats moving forward,” Schultz said. “We need to develop a sustainable course of action which includes a reduction of expenses and stabilized or increased revenues.
“We’re not out of the woods yet,” he said, adding he now has to start looking at next year’s budget.
There will be a public hearing on the budget at the council’s Sept. 6 meeting.
