Jay O'Connor
Abington Township Commissioner
Ward 4
McKinley / Elkins Park /Jenkintown Area's
Ward 4
McKinley / Elkins Park /Jenkintown Area's
Abington 2010 Budget
Dear Friends:
The final General Fund budget amount of $32,341,194 is less than a 1% increase over 2009. Unfortunately, due to decreases in our estimated revenue for 2010 from business taxes and deed transfer taxes, we were faced with a final projected deficit of $309,000. The property tax increase was necessary to balance the General Fund budget in 10 of the 15 Commissioners minds.
Regards,
Jay
On Thursday December 17th, the Abington Township Board of Commissioners passed the 2010 Township Budget. I regret to report that there will be a small tax increase in 2010 for residents. I voted NO to accept the 2010 budget increase. Listed is the breakdown of the increase:
The budget includes three major components: the General Fund (which includes the basic functions of Township government, such as administration, fire, and police); the Sewer Fund; the Refuse Fund. The total annual impact of the budget on the average household (assessed value of $150,000; market value of $300,000) is $16.00, as follows:
Property tax increase + $12.00*
Sewer fees + $ 8.00
Refuse fees - $ 4.00
TOTAL $16.00/Year
* ($9 for General Fund and $3 for the Fire Depts)
Some items we did cut to get down to this increase are:
Vehicle replacement $203,300
Plumbing inspector $ 35,000
Fuel $ 27,000
Newsletter $ 20,000**
Newsletter $ 20,000**
(** This does not include our yearly calendar)
There were valid suggestions brought forth but the thought was to move forward with the small increase.
One other item we did vote on was to apply for a $3M Bond to address some severe water/flooding conditions that we have seen cause much destruction and property loss and some actual deaths in the past. The cost of this bond would be an additional $11/Year per household. This year that cost will be taken from our fund balance and moving forward we will have to incorporate this into our yearly operating budget for the next 14 years which will be an additional $260k/yr.
That about sums it up for this budget year. Moving forward, I will continue to look out for out best interests in Ward 4. The tax increase amount may be small to some but this increase in my opinion comes at a critical time where we all have been trying to make ends meet with many not getting any raises in our pay this year and our other daily costs continue to rise. Ward 4 has many senior residents and as I went door to door this past year, I heard the residents tell me that taxes were a major concern, most of the seniors are on a fixed income and any increase would be a hardship. In a budget where we could have been somewhat more aggressive in reduction of costs, the majority of the commissioners took another path.
We also have to remember that Abington still is one of the best communities to live in the Unites States. Our schools and services are among the best. This was a tough year and I am hoping and confident that 2010 will continue to get better. Thanks to a great Township staff and the many volunteer organizations, this increase could have been larger.
If you have any questions please call me or send me an e-mail. Please forward this e-mail to any friends in Ward 4 and ask them to go to my website and register, so I can sign them up for future up-dates.
Regards,
Jay
