Courtesy of the Floor: None

Chairman Paulus determined at this point in time to move to the item listed under New Business.

New Business:

1.) Resolution No. 2006-37, Budget Transfers for the Year 2006 (Vote).

The Township Manager advised the Board that it has become necessary to appropriate funds back into the department for Planning and Zoning since the department has exceeded the budget appropriation. By way of further discussions, an issue arose regarding the fees charged by the Township for Zoning Hearing Board hearings. The Township Manager noted that the current amount of $500 per hearing does not in any way cover the costs incurred by the Township for advertising, attorney fees, Board member’s compensation, stenographic services, etc. Council determined that the fees should be increased to $750 per hearing with the exception of residential hearings, which would remain at the $50 figure. To that end, the Board made the following motion:

Motion: --- I move that we update the Township’s Fee Schedule for Zoning Hearing Board Hearings from $500 to $750 effective immediately upon adoption of an amended fee resolution.

Atkinson, Kovacs: Moved and Seconded
Atkinson, Dreisbach, Hayden, Kovacs, Paulus: ------- Aye ------- Unan.

With respect to Resolution No. 2006-37, Council made the following motion:

Motion: --- I move that Resolution No. 2006-37, Budget Transfers for the year 2006 be adopted as presented.

Atkinson, Dreisbach: Moved and Seconded
Atkinson, Dreisbach, Hayden, Kovacs, Paulus: ------- Aye ------- Unan

Old Business:

1.) Public Hearing – Proposed 2007 Operating Capital Reserve, Liquid Fuels, Water and Sewer Budgets (Review Discussion)

Chairman Paulus opened the Public Hearing with respect to the Proposed 2007 Budgets. The Township Manager proceeded to give the Board an overview of the Budget and it was determined that at the next Budget Hearing to be held on Monday, October 30, 2006, at 7:00 P.M., the Township Engineer would be in attendance to review the Water and Sewer Budgets for the year 2007. There was a discussion relative to the new line item added to the Budget for the purchase of a Ford 350 Pickup with plow. There was also some discussion with respect to the calculation for cost of living increase for Township employees. The Township Manager advised that the formula had been utilized as in the past to calculate the cost of living using the National Averages from June, 2005, through June 2006. The Township Manager also advised the Board that the health insurance costs would increase by 8% for the year 2007. Additionally, the Township Manager advised that the Township will be placing the health insurance plan with the Benecon Group which represents a consortium of municipalities. However, the Township Manager noted that the type of coverage and costs will remain stable.

At this point in the meeting, Council began a review of the revenues portion of the Operating Budget. The Township Manager noted that Surplus Funds is shown at a figure of $400,000 which will need to be adjusted either higher or lower depending on availability of funds and further information to be gathered before the end of 2006. With respect to the Department for Taxes, Council determined to revise Occupational Privilege Tax from $75,000 to $70,000. With respect to the Department for Licenses and Permits, Council determined to revise Cable TV Permits from $27,000 to $24,000. With respect to the Department for Department Earnings, Council determined to revise Zoning Hearing Board filing fees from $3,000 to $5,000. There was a discussion with respect to the line item for Recycling Grant and the Township Manager was requested to question the Recycling Coordinator as to why the grant funds have been decreasing and report back to the Board on that matter.

At this point in the meeting, Council determined to close the Public Hearing on the Proposed 2007 Budgets with the next hearing to be held on Monday, October 30, 2006 at 7:00 P.M.

Adjournment:

The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Sandra A. Pudliner
Township Manager