A large percentage of our budget is driven by contractual agreements. Increased salary, benefits and energy costs have made it very difficult for us to balance the budget. I have worked with the Township staff to reduce spending where possible while maintaining the level of service that the residents have come to expect. Part of the budget process is to develop a Capital plan. There are limited reserved funds that will be used to fund the capital projects in the coming year. During the next month I will work with Council to expand the capital plan to include the next five years and identify possible funding sources to complete these projects.

I know that the residents are having a tough time making ends meet. Because of this I am not proposing an increase in overall tax millage for this budget. We will however need to turn to our limited reserves to balance the budget.

In the next year we expect to see an upturn in the economy and hopefully our revenues will increase to cover our cost of living expenses. 

I am requesting that Council work with our Manager and his staff to create an ordinance that will provide for minimum tax increases starting in 2010 and extending for 5 years. The purpose of these tax increases will be to cover our normal cost of living contractual increases and build up our reserves that we have used to help the residents in these tough times. Residents will know in advance what their minimum tax increase will be and can plan accordingly.

The budget is now in your hands Council and I know you will do the right thing to care for the well being of the residents.