Forks Township 2009 Budget Comparison

I decided to take a closer look at the 2009 Forks Township proposed budget. Additionally, I compared the 2008 budget to the 2009 plan. This analysis is assuming the township will meet it's 08 revenue and will beat it's 08 expense plan.  Please remember this analysis is based upon publicly available information, so we may be a little bit off in our analysis.

However, it may not be possible for the township to meet its revenue plan. At the end of October 2008,  the Township was at 83.60% of the 08 Revenue project. Right now, the Township may under run it's 08 revenue by $212,000.

Additionally, the Township was at 76.40% of its expense plan. Based upon the current run rate, the township may meet its expense plan.

We will know more about the 2008 plan when the Township posts the November 2008 actual's.

 

Revenues	2008	2009	% Change
REAL ESTATE / PROPERTY TAX	2,417,773	2,660,321	10.03%
TRANSFER TAX	500,000	300,000	-40.00%
EIT TAX	2,039,862	2,120,000	3.93%
MERCANTILE TAX	400,000	380,000	-5.00%
EMERGENCY / MUNICIPAL TAX	330,000	315,000	-4.55%
LICENSES / PERMITS / FINES	222,366	251,500	13.10%
INTEREST EARNINGS	90,000	55,000	-38.89%
LEASE INCOME	12,815	12,815	0.00%
INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVENUE	57,000	61,000	7.02%
STATE CAPITAL & OPERATING GRANTS	65,903	225,706	242.48%
STATE SHARED REVENUE / ENTITLEMENTS	9,000	9,000	0.00%
CHARGES FOR SERVICES	22,300	18,100	-18.83%
PUBLIC SAFETY	289,470	240,400	-16.95%
SANITATION / SNOW REMOVAL	10,000	10,000	0.00%
CULTURE & RECREATION	246,000	279,700	13.70%
SEWER SYSTEM	24,500	14,540	-40.65%
MISCELLANEOUS REVENUE	25,500	22,000	-13.73%
CONTRIBUTIONS & DONATIONS	320,803	350,901	9.38%
PROCEEDS OF ASSET DISPOSAL	30,000	40,000	33.33%
Revenue Sub Total	7,113,292	7,365,983	3.55%
Expenses	2008	2009	% Change
GENERAL GOVERNMENT	60,555	54,855	-9.41%
EXECUTIVE GOVERNMENT	96,129	100,003	4.03%
FINANCIAL AUDIT SERVICES	15,000	15,000	0.00%
TAX COLLECTION	97,940	100,550	2.66%
LEGAL SERVICES	150,000	140,000	-6.67%
CLERK / SECRETARY	487,615	491,012	0.70%
ENGINEERING SERVICES	103,000	91,500	-11.17%
GENERAL GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS	109,368	88,655	-18.94%
POLICE DEPARTMENT	2,458,096	2,606,651	6.04%
FIRE DEPARTMENT	395,779	546,601	38.11%
CONTRIBUTIONS	6,500	2,600	-60.00%
ZONING / CODE ENFORCEMENT	299,911	310,866	3.65%
WASTEWATER COLLECTION	117,103	182,631	55.96%
HIGHWAY MAINT./ PUBLIC WORKS	1,046,867	985,745	-5.84%
CULTURE & RECREATION	292,083	279,695	-4.24%
PARTICIPANT RECREATION	140,000	131,000	-6.43%
PARKS	338,589	356,691	5.35%
DEBT PRINCIPAL	548,197	559,251	2.02%
DEBT INTEREST	303,110	288,360	-4.87%
MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSE	40,560	42,060	3.70%
INSURANCE	134,720	118,800	-11.82%
TOTAL EXPENSES	7,241,122	7,492,526	3.47%
REVENUE LESS EXPENSES	(127,830)	(126,543)	-1.01%

 

I will update our analysis next month, so stay tuned!

 

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Happy Thanksgiving

This is the time of the year, we pause and give thanks for all the blessings in our lives. In the spirit of the season, here is a list of my blessings:

• I am thankful we live in a country that votes for the content of a person ideas not the color of their skin.
• I am thankful we live in a beautiful , bountiful, and  safe township.
• I am thankful for the opportunity to serve my community in many different ways. It has been an honor.
• I am thankful for my kids, wife, and family.

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2009 Forks Township Budget - Preliminary

At the November 20, 2008 BoS meeting, the board passed a 2009 preliminary budget. The township did not provide a lot of details about the 09 budget, but I managed to gleam some facts from the conversation.

The township held 5 working sessions with the Board of Supervisors and township department heads to create the draft budget. The following are some interesting facts about the proposed budget:

1. The township is proposing $49,000 in 2009 budget cuts, while the 2009 revenues are expected to decline by $400,000.

2. The reduction in 2009 revenue stream is being driven declining real estate transfer tax and housing starts fees.

3. About $345,000 in capital programs have been placed on hold until mid-year 2009.

4. The proposed tax increase is .5 Mills (5.10 to 5.60 mills) or $39.00 per household.

It seems the proposed budget is reducing the township reserves in order to minimize the 2009 tax increase and to preserve the 2009 capital programs.

The proposed 2009 budget is open to inspection at the Forks Township Municipal Center during normal working hours and the Forks Township web site under the Finance section.

 

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Tax Man Cometh- Maybe?

Yes, it is that time of year again. The local governments are preparing their 2009 budgets and trying to figure out how the current recession affects our various communities. The following is a sampling of the local governments tax rate proposals for 2009:

 

Municipality	Current Tax Rate	Proposed Tax Rate
Northampton County	10.80	10.80
Palmer Township	5.50	6.25
Lower Mount Bethel	4.60	4.60
City of Bethlehem	14.10	14.10
City of Allentown	17.53	17.53
Bethlehem Township	4.74	5.99
City of Easton	24.95	26.95
Forks Township	5.10	5.60

 

It seems we have a mixed bag of tax rate proposals. Many municipalities have managed to avoid tax increases, as other townships are proposing tax increases.  Tomorrow night the Forks Township BoS will pass the 2009 budget with about a 10% tax increase in 2009.

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"We must rise with the occasion"

This is an open letter to the Northampton County Council. We have just experienced a historic election where the people of our country spoke loud and clear. We want change! We no longer are willing to practice the politics of pettiness. We want the politics of inclusion.

Now, I know you are thinking “how does the national election affect our local governments?” Simple, the same people who demand change at the national level will demand change at the local level. You have a chance to practice the politics of inclusion with your appointment of an independent person to the Northampton County Council.

Abraham Lincoln said it best: “The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew. We must disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our country." Lincoln's Second Annual Message to Congress, December 1, 1862.

This is your chance to appoint a person that is not tied to any political party dogma. Choose a person with an independent spirit who is willing to represent the people of Northampton County - period.

I know this is hard, since we have a history of political division and fear. Right now, you have the chance to “rise with the occasion” and appoint a new and exciting person. The people of Northampton County deserve and demand our best and brightest.

EASD Public Forum - Elementary School Redistricting

The EASD will be hosting two public forums to discuss the proposed redistricting of the elementary schools.

The first public forum is scheduled for  Monday, 11/17/8  at Cheston Elementary School gymnasium. The second public forum will be held on Tuesday, 11/18/08 at Easton Area Middle School Campus 7/8 auditorium (Forks Township).

Please attend these meetings !! Get Involved - Every Voice Counts!

Running for Local Office? The League of Woman Voters wants to help!

I know we just ended a very long presidential campaign. Yes, all those political ads, political positioning , and yard signs have finally gone away.  The good news is the political calendar will give us a couple of months to rest up, before the local elections campaigns begin. So, are you interested in running for local office?

If yes, the League of Woman Voters wants to help. The league will be hosting a a four-hour "Running for Local Office" workshop in November before the municipal election year. This is a very good seminar for any person considering running for local office.

Some of the areas the workshop will be covering are how to file the paperwork, how to develop a strategy and timeline for a campaign, tactics, working with volunteers, how to ask for donations, working with a political party, and working with the press.

When: November 22, 2008

Where: Northampton Community College- Kiva room

Time: 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM.

Cost: $45.00

Goodies: A comprehensive workbook will be given to every participant.

For additional information, please visit the League of Woman Voters web site. The league phone numbers are 610-432-1456 (Lehigh County LWV) and 610-252-1339 (Northampton County LWV)

 

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Forks Township 5 Year Recreation Plan

At the last Forks Township BoS meeting, a joint workshop was held between the BoS and the Recreation Board to discuss a draft of the 5 year plan.  The following is a summary of the activities/projects to improve the recreational facilities of our township.  Since a copy of the 5 year plan was not given to the public, the following list of activities and projects are based upon my notes.

Proposed improvements for 2009:

1. Construct a Band Shell

2. Develop a dog park.

3. Grade and seed new soccer fields near the Community Center.

4. New Restrooms behind the Community Center

5. Construct a all purpose building near the Braden Park fields.

6. Update Master Bike Plan.

Proposed improvements for 2010:

1.  Additional ball fields at the Community Center.

2. Additional Basketball Court at the Community Park.

3. Bike Bridge over Sullivan Trail.

 

Proposed improvements for 2011:

1. Built a ice rink,

2. Built a sledding and tubing park.

 

Clearly, the plan was based upon the Recreation Survey conducted several yeas ago. Additionally, Forks Township will need financial help, in terms of state and federal grants, to complete these projects.

 

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Lehigh Valley Coalition on Affordable Housing

Last night at the Forks Township BoS meeting, a representative from the Lehigh Valley Coalition on Affordable Housing made a presentation about the homeless situation in the Lehigh Valley.  The purpose of the presentation was to ask our township to make a donation to support the 9 homeless shelters in the valley.

Just a couple of factoids about the homeless in our valley:

• 42% of the people in the 9 shelters reside outside the cities of Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton.
• 1080 people used the 9 area shelters in 2007.
• 25% of the homeless are considered working poor. This means they have a job, but can not find affordability housing.
• The average rent for a 2 BR apartment in the Lehigh Valley is $816 per month.
• Safe Harbor (Easton Homeless Shelter) offers services to 300 people, which 9 reside in Forks Township.

The coalition was seeking a $5633 donation from the BoS.  No action was taken by the BoS.

 

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Forks Township Voter Turnout- How well did we do?

The following is the Forks Township voter turnout by voting district:

 

	Total Reg	% Turnout
Total Registration & Turnout	10,430
Total Election Day Turnout	7,139	68.44%
FORKS TWP EASTERN 1
Registration & Turnout	2,673
Election Day Turnout	1,864	69.73%
FORKS TWP EASTERN 2
Registration & Turnout	2,954
Election Day Turnout	2,060	69.74%
FORKS TWP WESTERN 1
Registration & Turnout	1,885
Election Day Turnout	1,219	64.67%
FORKS TWP WESTERN 2
Registration & Turnout	2,918
Election Day Turnout	1,996	68.40%

Oh, What a Day!

I got the chance today to spend most of election day at the Forks Township polling locations. It seems all four voting districts had amazing and record voter turnout. The wait for most voters was about 1.5 hours. I got a a chance to chat with many people today. Regardless of our political afflication, we all agree this was a great and historic day!

Right now, I have only have voting data for the Eastern 1 district (Faith Lutheran Church). I am estimating that 1900  peopled voted today. This means 76.0% of the eligible citizens in Eastern District 1 cast a vote today!

As I have always said- Every Voice Counts. Today, the citizens of Forks Township proved it!

November Ballot Questions: Full Time County Controller

This is the second part of the two part series on ballot questions.

"Shall the electorate of Northampton County approve a change to the Northampton County Home Rule Charter Article IV, Controller, so as to provide for all full-time status of the Controller of Northampton County, Easton, Pennsylvania, commencing with the term of office that begins January 2012. Article IV Controller, Section 401. Titles and Status shall be amended so as to add the following section.

During his term of office the County Controller shall devote full time to the office, and shall not actively engage in any other business or occupation. The salary of the Full Time Controller shall be established by the Northampton County Council in accordance with the Northampton County Home Ruler Charter".

This seems to be a easy decision, as we need a full time controller to manage and oversee the county budget.  Until the last election, the county did not have a established audit system of the various departmental budgets. The current Controller has conduct extensive audits of the various departments to verify the financial integrity of their operations.

It is important to have this level of due diligence to maintain the financial integrity of the Northampton County government.  Only a full time controller can make this happen!

Every Vote Counts!