The budget includes multiple fund reductions to result in a zero percent tax increase.
A municipal budget was adopted at last week’s committee meeting, resulting in no tax increase for Tabernacle residents.
After months of discussion, the budget allows the municipal tax rate to stay at 42.2 cents per $100 of assessed property valuation.
Mayor Joseph Barton, Deputy Mayor Stephen Lee and Committeeman Joseph Yates voted in favor of the budget, while Committeewoman Kimberly Brown voted “no” and Committeeman Richard Franzen was absent from the meeting.
Brown previously voiced her concerns about reducing funds substantially from aid to volunteer ambulance companies amid worries of residents being balance billed.
“I’m pleased that we have a zero tax increase. The night of the budget hearing I said I was not going to vote for a tax increase so I kind of initiated that discussion and I’m glad I did,” Lee said. “However, I will say this, under no circumstances should we be in the business of having budget discussions a week before the Fourth of July. We need to do a better job, collectively, to get the budget processed and done in an efficient manner next year.”
The final budget showed reductions of $40,000 from the capital improvement fund, $10,000 from workers compensation insurance due to Tabernacle Rescue Squad’s offer to pay for its insurance coverage, $5,000 from garbage and trash removal, $10,000 from public buildings and grounds, $6,000 from fire department expenses and $23,000 from aid to volunteer ambulance companies.
There will be an additional $10,000 kept in unanticipated expenses in the event the squad needed extra funds at the year’s close.
This meeting marked Chief Financial Officer Terry Henry’s last meeting, as he will be retiring after 16 years with the township. Over the years, he also held the positions of tax collector and pension and benefits certifying officer.
The committee shared its gratitude toward Henry and wished him well in the future.
“Through Terry’s strong work ethic he saved the township time and money. He has displayed the qualities of a dependable, organized, efficient and very trustworthy employee,” said Barton. “He provided an outstanding vision and strong management skills to the township.”
In other news:
- A road study has been done that supports reducing the speed limit on New Road between Mallard Drive and Chatsworth Road to 35 mph.
- Bowman & Company will be used for accounting and consulting services while a chief financial officer is being selected.
The next Tabernacle Township Committee meeting will be held on July 23 at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall.
