Tax hike a possibility after supervisors agree to reopen budget

'Every department has to feel some pain," says newly seated David Hughes

Exeter Township supervisors voted unanimously on Monday, Jan. 10, to reopen the 2022 budget.

Newly elected Supervisor David Hughes, a longtime vocal critic of the township, said the previous board had adopted a budget that was incorrect.

“That budget came up $800,000 short,” he said. “We either have to cut expenses or raise revenues.”

Supervisor Diana Reeser welcomed the opportunity.

“We owe it to our residents to do due diligence, and either cut spending or raise taxes,” Reeser said.

The budget, which was approved in December, showed revenue of nearly $12.6 million after $800,000 was moved in from a reserve fund.

The revenue was a decrease of 1.8% from slightly more than $12.8 million in 2021.

Expenses were also expected to be nearly $12.6 million for 2022.

It’s unclear why the township was expecting to take in far less in taxes this year.

The 2022 budget left the real estate tax rate at 2.145 mills, no increase from 2021.

According to officials, there hasn’t been a tax increase in seven years.

Hughes said a tax increase may be necessary.

“I never said anything about not raising taxes,” he said. “We need to open this budget and fix it. … Every department has to feel some pain.”

Township Manager Jeff Bartlett said state law requires a budget be approved by Feb. 15 to be advertised 10 days prior.

Chairman Carl Staples indicated that time is of the essence.

“We need to have a sense of urgency and pull out all the stops to bring the new budget in on time,” Staples said.

A tentative meeting for Jan. 18 was discussed for the budget talks.

Finance director Jennifer Savage asked the board to send her emails ahead of the meeting so she could be prepared.

“Please send questions by email instead of having a free-for-all, ” Savage said. In other business:

• Supervisors approved hiring Tucker Hull LLC of Annville, Lebanon County, as township solicitor.

• Three new police officers were sworn in by District Judge Sandra Fegley. They were Eyner Martinez, 28, Ryan Kardoley, 26, and Christian Butz, 22. Starting annual salary for each is about $65,900.

• The board discussed the feasibility of having the police chief report to the board instead of the township manager and postpone discussions until a new solicitor was at the table.