|
Download this document in .pdf format PROPOSED BUDGET 2010 Thursday, November 12, 2009
Presentation of John Logan , Fiscal Administrator:
In this budget, we have met several challenges without increasing County taxes. Pennsylvania 's budget reduced state support for mandated services and our pension expense increased to $1,620,000 because of the severe restructuring in the capital markets. Nevertheless, we have honored the wage increases in County labor agreements, although we still expect to reduce costs through improved efficiencies and elimination of some positions. Our total tax millage remains at 22.75 mills. The distribution is as follows: General Fund. – 20.75 mills; 2001 Bond Sinking Fund - 2.00 mills. Both the Capital Reserve Fund and Economic Development Capital Reserve Fund have sufficient balances. (Compared to 2009, we reduced the 2001 Bond Sinking Fund 0.25 mills, the Capital Reserve Fund 0.50 mills, and the Economic Development Capital Reserve Fund 0.25 mills.)
Working with elected officials and department heads in the past year, we have reduced budget expenditure requests by over $300,000. We cut operating costs in every department. We are not filling vacant positions except where required to maintain productivity or increase efficiency. During 2009, our employees shared cost reductions through pay rate cuts or short-term layoffs, and we appreciate that.
With the approval of the Woodland Place sale by our Court of Common Pleas and the state Attorney General's office, it appears this matter will conclude at year-end. By establishing Woodland Place as a properly capitalized independent community asset, we have supported their efforts to protect jobs and services in our region.
The weak and ineffective budget process for Pennsylvania caused extra work in 2009 and we expect even more difficulty in 2010. The Governor and legislature must make their difficult decisions next spring, including the elimination of unfunded mandates for social services. If not, they will be forcing us to raise taxes where they did not have the ability to provide needed revenue.
Overall, our costs for mandated human service programs continue to rise. In developing this budget for the Commissioners, I have emphasized that cost reduction is the only way we can afford to increase pay rates for our employees. Maintaining effectiveness in a climate requiring efficiency must become a way of life. By having everyone focused on improving productivity, we can deliver county services and programs while maintaining reasonable tax and cost levels.
