Attendance: ---------- 0

Courtesy of the Floor: NONE

Approval of Minutes: ------------------ November 10, 2008 Budget Meeting

Motion: I move we waive the reading of the Minutes of the November 10, 2008 Budget Meeting and accept same as presented.

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

Old Business:

1. Public Hearing – Continuation of Proposed 2009 Operating, Capital Reserve, Liquid Fuels, Water and Sewer Budgets (Review and Discussion).

Chairman Paulus opened the Public Hearing relative to the Proposed 2009 Budgets. Councilwoman Hayden noted that she had no problem with any of the changes previously made to the Township’s Budgets with the exception of additional monies being placed in the Recreation Department of the Operating Budget to provide for security cameras in Chestnut Grove Park. Mrs. Hayden noted that she had received numerous calls with respect to drug activity in the park and felt that the installation of security cameras could be helpful. Council determined to revisit the Recreation Department in the Operating Budget and revise the line item for Maintenance from $15,000 to $25,000.

There was considerable discussion initiated by the Township Manager relative to the Surplus Fund figure in the Operating Budget. The Township Manager advised the Board that the computer program which is relatively new as well as the old system incorporates surplus funds as a part of the total for Revenues in the Budget. Accordingly, depending upon the figure in Surplus Funds, the computer system will indicate when the Budget has been met and Surplus Funds exist. At that point in time, the Township usually moves the funds which constitute surplus into a separate account. In reviewing the Capital Program for this year, we have discovered that the funding for the Municipal Building has not been completed and that an additional funding of $200,000 is necessary. Taking that into account, as well as the fact that there appears to be a distortion as to the Surplus Fund figure which we estimated at the beginning of the 2008 budgeting process and the actual figure, it will be necessary to reduce Surplus Funds from the $375,000 proposed to $200,000. By doing so, the Township then is in a position to totally fund the Municipal Building project in the 2008 Capital Program. The other option the Township Manager noted would be not to totally fund the Municipal Building project in the year 2008. Council discussed the matter and determined that the Township Manager should proceed to fully fund the Municipal Building in 2008 and agreed that the reduction of Surplus Funds in the 2009 Budget should be accomplished and that the figure would be changed from $375,000 to $200,000.

Council determined that it was not necessary to review any further changes in the Budget since they had reviewed the revisions and found same acceptable. Accordingly, it was determined that the Public Hearing would be closed at this time and that Council would proceed with adoption of the 2009 Budget at a meeting to be held on Monday, December 15 at 4:00 P.M.

At this point in the meeting, Council also determined to schedule the end of year meeting for payment of end of year bills. That meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, December 30 at 4:00 P.M.

New Business: NONE

Courtesy of the Floor: NONE

Adjournment:

The meeting was adjourned at 4:30 P.M.

Respectfully submitted