Haverford OKs preliminary budget with 2.4 percent tax hike
HAVERFORD » Commissioners voted unanimously at a recent hearing to adopt a $43.2 million preliminary budget for 2018. The proposed fiscal plan includes a 2.4 percent real estate tax increase that would raise rates from 7.993 to 8.185 mills.
The new rate would translate to an additional $28 in annual taxes for the estimated median assessment of $145,000.
Plans call for keeping annual trash collection and sewer rental fees at current rates, $197 per year and $4.70 per gallons water used, respectively.
Township Manager Larry Gentile said all share the goal of keeping tax increases in check while maintaining the “high quality of services residents expect and deserve.”
The proposed budget “did not come without sacrifices,” he added, pointing to staff reductions of 2.6 full-time employees.
Gentile also noted that while the total general fund budget appears to be $279,502 less than in 2017, the 2017 budget contained a $2 million general fund transfer to capital funds. The actual year to year budget increase is about $1.7 million, Gentile said.
Real estate taxes remain the major source of revenue, accounting for 59 percent, or $25.2 million. Local enabling taxes provide 9 percent, or $3.6 million, an imbalance that sparked discussion of issues surrounding In a review of major cost drivers, Gentile said both uniformed and non-uniformed employee contracts called for a 3.5 percent salary increase this year. Last year civilian personnel didn’t get an increase, like uniformed personnel two years prior, Gentile said.
The municipal pension obligation also rose $760,889.
Gentile said upticks in departmental expenditures reflect, for the most part, salary and pension costs rather than operational factors. Township insurance and debt services added $107,000 to expenses.
Commissioners discussed at length a request from the Haverford Township Historical business development. Society for $50,000 to address safety and security issues at Nitre Hall, a township-owned historic property. Historical society President Irene Coffey said that due to a miscommunication, the request did not reach Gentile in time.
Coffey said a total $100,000 is needed to equip Nitre Hall with new fire detection and alarm systems, a handicapped-accessible lavatory, new electrical panel, emergency lighting/ exit signs, water system improvements and more. The society would match the township’s $50,000 contribution, Coffey said.
Gentile and Commissioner Jim McGarrity suggested drawing from a reserve account that currently contains about $225,000, resulting from recent sale of a property at 516 Eagle Road. Former owner, the late Wesley Schwarz, willed the property to the township “for use by the historical society.” It was sold at auction in June.
Coffey said the society’s mission is to “protect, preserve and promote the history of Haverford Township.” While Coffey did not object to using a portion of those funds for Nitre Hall repairs, she pointed to other pressing issues, such as the deplorable conditions in which historical collections are currently stored.
Commissioner Larry Holmes said he would support, between the preliminary and final budget, an amendment that includes a commitment from the township to share the cost of Nitre Hall repairs. Commissioners Dan Siegel and Andy Lewis recommended that historical properties like Nitre Hall, Lawrence Cabin and the Federal School be included in a capital program that would provide for long-term upkeep and funding.
In other highlights of the discussion, Commissioner Kevin McCloskey said the township should take further steps to reduce its carbon footprint. The board discussed accelerating a township-wide LED streetlight conversion program, and/or purchasing hybrid, electric and propane powered vehicles for police and Public Works departments, pending further review by Gentile.
Final budget adoption is slated for Dec. 11.