Do we know our Total Tax Increase?

It is that time of season again; as the various townships and school boards are finalize their 2008 budgets.

Everything Forks started to wonder what is the total impact of the various tax increases on our residents. So here is our best estimate:

Forks Township Tax Increase:

1. An 11% increase in Real Estate taxes (4.6 mills to 5.1 mills). The owner of a property of $50,000 will pay about $255 in additional real estate tax.

EASD Tax Increase:

1. A 10.87% increase in school taxes (45.106 mills to 50.006 mills). A house assessed at $100,000 would generate a $5,000.60 tax bill under the preliminary budget, a $490.10 increase from last year.

Total Tax Increase:

Note: A mill is $1 of tax on every $1,000 of assessed property value

If we use the value of the property of $100,000, we would have the following total tax increases.
1. Forks Township: $510 per year.
2. EASD: $490.10 per year
3. Total tax increase: $1000.10 per year.

Yikes! This is a pretty hefty tax increase for 2008.

Other approved changes in our tax code:

1. Ordinance 306 - Local Services Tax / Adoption. Effectively it is a name change from the EMS Tax to the Local Services Tax. The amount remains the same at $52 per year for employees working in the Township.

2. Ordinance 307 - Realty Transfer Tax - This ordinance is to authorize the PA Department of Revenue to collect Forks' share of the Realty Transfer Tax (RTT) in instances when the State finds that the value of property has been misrepresented. The 2% RTT is shared as follows: 1/2 goes to the State, and the other half is split evenly between the school district and the local municipality.

If you have any ideas or comments about critical issues facing Forks Township, please share your ideas via our blog.

Get Involved – Every Voice Counts!

Sincerely,

David Billings

True Open Government

As you know, I have been looking for Townships’ that have implemented policies to enhance open government.

A great example is Washington NJ Township. Last week, the township committee voted 3-2 to tape their executive sessions. The tape would not contain any personal information or executive matters, but it does allow residents to understand what happens during executive sessions.

This is a great way to tear down the walls between the township elected officials and its residents. This is a great step in restoring public faith in our local governments.


In proposing the taping, Committeeman R.J. Strunk said, "Once we're done with personnel issues and executive matters, if (the public) wants to hear what we say in executive sessions, they should be allowed to do so." His motion carried, 3-2. Committeemen John Horensky and Samir Elbassiouny voted no (See Express Times Editorial January 18, 2008)

I am hoping that other municipalities follow suit and implement these types of changes.

If you have any ideas or comments about critical issues facing Forks Township, please share your ideas via our blog.



Get Involved – Every Voice Counts!



Sincerely,

David Billings
d.billings@att.net

Forks 2008 Budget

Forks Township has published the 2008 budget. The budget outlines the 2008 revenue stream and cost structure for 2008 only. The budget can be found at http://www.forkstownship.org/2008abudget.htm

2008

Total Operating Revenue: $7,113,292
General Fund Carryover: $669,743
Total Revenue: $7,783,035

Total Operating Expenses: $7,242,842

Revenue less Expenses: ($129,550). This excludes the General Fund Carryover.

Some factoids on 2008 revenue:

1. Real Estate Taxes: 34% of Operating Revenue
2. Taxes: 46% of Operating Revenue
3. Other revenue: 20% includes lease earnings, interest earnings, charges for services/public safety, etc
4. An 11% increase in Real Estate taxes (4.6 mills to 5.1 mills). The owner of a property of $50,000 will pay about $255 in additional real estate tax.
5. Budgeted Real Estate Transfer taxes are budgeted at $500,000 down from $800,000 in 2007.
6. Property Tax revenue will increase from $2.07M to $2.41M, but revenue from real estate transactions should fall as the housing market continue to soften.


On the expense side, a couple of interesting thoughts:

1. A 4% raise for salaried employees
2. Police Dept: 40% of total cost ($2.46M)
3. Fire Dept: 5.46% of total cost ($.395M).
4. Forks EMS Funding: $20,000 (Note: This funding has not been released to the Forks EMS).
5. Community Center Costs: $.294M vs revenue of $.247M. (loss of ($47,803).
6. Recreation Board: $60,000
7. Athletic Association: $80,000
8. Park Maintenance: $338,589
9. Highways and Streets: $917,867.

What to watch for in 2008:

1. The continuing softening of the housing market. This will create downward pressure on the 08 real estate transactions revenues.
2. Another tax increase in 2009.
3. Possible 08 net income loss

If you have any ideas or comments about critical issues facing Forks Township, please share your ideas via our blog.

Get Involved – Every Voice Counts!

Sincerely,

David Billings

d.billings@att.net

Forks Board of Supervisors elects Chairman

Tonight, C David Howell was elected Chairman of the Forks Township Board of Supervisors. Congratulations David!


If you have any ideas or comments about critical issues facing Forks Township, please share your ideas via our blog.Get Involved – Every Voice Counts!


Sincerely,
David Billings
d.billings@att.net

Easton City Council

Well, it seems the New Year has arrived and it is politics as usual. In the lehighvalleylive blog, Jim Deegan - managing editor of the Express Times stated the Easton City council needs to “Grow a Spine”. These sentiments we caused by the unanimous appointment of Pam Panto to the Easton City Council. My favorite part of Jim’s blog is as follows:

This really isn't about either Panto, though. It's about the new council as a whole, and avoiding the same old same old. Let's just say it's not off to a good start.


Besides Pam Panto, other new council members sworn in Wednesday night were Elinor Warner and Jeff Warren. We heard an awful lot from council wannabes last year about changes in city government and a need for fresh blood.


But when Warren, Warner and the rest of council had a chance -- minutes into their tenures -- to do something about it, they were speechless. Crickets chirped after outgoing Councilman Dan Corpora, who hit the jackpot by winning a cushy district judge seat that he'll begin serving this month, nominated Pam Panto for the vacant council seat that expires in two years.


Warner expressed reservations about Pam Panto's nomination and having a husband and wife on the same council. She called it a "tough pill to swallow." Then she and everyone else but Sal (who abstained) voted to approve the nomination.


No one even tried to float another name. No options, no debate, no grandstanding

So why are we discussing this issue in my blog. As I have stated many times, a robust Easton is critical to the future of Forks Township. I believe it is time for politics in the Lehigh Valley to change. I was hoping the Easton City Council would have set the tone for open government for the rest of the Lehigh Valley.




If you have any ideas or comments about critical issues facing Forks Township, please share your ideas via our blog or email at d.bilings@att.net.



Get Involved – Every Voice Counts!

Happy New Year

We would like to wish everyone a happy, healthy and safe New Year.



We will be talking about the 2008 Forks budget this week.