The Tabernacle Township Committee introduced the expense portion of the 2016 tentative municipal budget at last week’s meeting. The budget, totaling $4.3 million, saw an increase of nearly $491,257 from 2015. There was an increase in administrative and executive salaries of $9,236.
“Our department has talked about adding an employee to the administrative staff to assist myself and the deputy treasurer,” Township Administrator Doug Cramer said.
In an attempt to save some money, the township is looking to make this position a combination employee if it is able to find someone with the right credentials.
“We will hire an additional person part time if we do not,” Cramer said. “That’s why you see the increase.”
There was also an increase in financial administration salaries of $6,611 because the group plans to hire a deputy treasurer and a tax collector with a QPA certification to replace Susan Costales after she retires in April.
There was a decrease in the capital improvement fund thus far of $95,000.
The 2016 road program will be far and away the most expensive project the township will be looking at for this year, costing $950,000.
The township will also be purchasing a medium dump truck with a plow/sander for $128,250, a large dump truck with a plow/sander for $170,050, a utility truck with plow and lift gate for $53,200 and $190,000 worth of fire company equipment.
The township will be financing $1.49 million for these projects in 2016. This number will be decreasing after 2016, with $1.45 million budgeted for 2017 projects and $1.24 million budgeted for 2018 projects.
The committee plans to present the income portion of the 2016 budget at its next meeting on Feb. 22. The residential tax impact has not been released as of yet.
