Budget holds line on taxes

Deficit to drain reserve fund

WARMINSTER >> The Warminster Township supervisors approved a no tax hike budget for 2019 late last month.

The 4-1 vote approved the last-minute, $21 million alternative budget plan that comes with $2.3 million deficit. The budget will use the township’s reserve fund, leaving little, if any, money in that savings account come 2020.

The supervisors discussed looking into cutting costs through reductions in police

pension, eliminating the position of a retiring police officer, as well as checking into other options. The supervisors agreed to hire a consultant to help the township budget committee come up with further ways to decrease the deficit and fund the budget.

Supervisor Brian Monroe said he thought hiring a consultant was a step in

the right direction.

“I think this board and the budget board are going to do the right thing,” he said.

Supervisor Kathy Frescatore said while she supported the no tax increase plan, she believed a longterm solution has to be found sooner rather than later.

“I want a long-term solution so we can resolve the future financial crisis for future generations,” she said. “Give financial consultants to the budget

committee; empower them.”

Board Chairman Mark McKee voted against the alternative budget, stating that a no tax increase budget in the current financial climate of the township was an irresponsible step.

“There already has been a consistent effort to cut costs in the township,” he said. “To me this is ‘Plan Bankruptcy.’ I think this is a tremendous mistake.”

The original budget plan recommended by the township’s budget committee featured a 7.5 mil increase, a raise that would require a court approval as it would have gone beyond the state-allowed limit. A homeowner with a property at the average assessed value of $25,553 would have paid about $192 more in municipal taxes in 2019 under that rate.

The supervisors also considered a plan that would have brough about a 5-mil increase, eliminated two administrative positions in the township and featured a $785,00 deficit. This plan would have also required court approval.