Courtesy of the Floor: None

Approval of Minutes: --- October 19, 2009 - BudgetMeeting

Motion: --- I move we waive the reading of the October 19, 2009 Special Budget Meeting and accept same as presented.

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

At this point in the meeting, the Township Manager requested that the Board move to the item under New Business at this time and accordingly that item was addressed.

New Business:

1.) Resolution No. 2009-37, A Resolution Providing for the Appointment of an Acting Township Clerk (Vote).

The Township Manager advised that in consultation with the Township Attorney, Attorney Eaton expressed concern over the absence of the Township Clerk as same affects the operation of the Township. Based upon his recommendation, the Township Manager advised that she has prepared Resolution No. 2009-37 providing for the appointment of the Township Secretary/Bookkeeper as the Acting Township Clerk until the Township Clerk resumes her position after her medical leave has ended. The Township Manager further advised that the change in employee status requires that the Acting Township Clerk be paid at the rate of the Township Clerk for the period of time she holds that position. The pay increase would take place five days after the appointment. Council discussed the matter and determined that since the extent of the term of the medical leave of the Township Clerk is unknown at this time action should be taken to assure that the management position of Township Clerk is covered in terms of job functions, execution of Township documents, etc. In resolution of this matter, the Board made the following Motion:

Motion: --- I move we waive the reading of the October 19, 2009 Special Budget Meeting and accept same as presented.

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

Old Business:

1.) Public Hearing – Continuation of Proposed 2010 Operating Capital Reserve, Liquid Fuels, Water and Sewer Budgets (Review & Discussion).

Chairman Paulus opened the Public Hearing relative to the Proposed 2010 Budgets. Council began its review with the General Fund Budget, in particular, the Revenue portion of sam.

With respect to the Department for Taxes, the Township Manager advised that Real Estate Current has been projected in the Budget at $50,000 for the year 2010. Councilman Atkinson questioned that figure considering the fact that collections to date are slightly under $35,000. There was a discussion with respect to the fact that possibly in the year 2009 the Township had paid back revenues due to the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority as a result of their exempt status. The Township Manager noted that an increase had originally been projected based upon the real estate payable in 2010 as a result of the Airport Center Shopping Center. In any event, the Township Manager was directed to check into the real estate collections and report back to the Board. With respect to the line item under taxes for Earned Income Tax, the Township Manager advised that she has projected all the tax figures provided by Berkheimer Associates at the high figure in the projection. However, she advised the Board that Berkheimer indicated that EIT collection was inflated in the year 2009 due to processing of a delinquent tax from the year 2008 in June 2009. Furthermore, Berkheimer has indicated that LST projections are on target and that Business Privilege Tax is down year to date due to several businesses filing smaller final returns for 2009. While Berkheimer has estimated $150,000 in additional revenue annually from the new shops at Airport Center, the projections account for a potential decrease from established businesses due to the state of the economy. With respect to Earned Income Tax, Council requested that the Township Manager double check with Berkheimer regarding the proposed 2010 figure at $440,000. With respect to Business Privilege Tax, Councilman Atkinson questioned the actual amount received to date in the year 2009 which appears to be higher than the 2009 budget amount. Councilman Atkinson felt that there had to be some issue with these projections and requested that the Township Manager contact Berkheimer Associates for further explanation. With respect to Commercial Parking Lot Tax, Council determined to revise that figure from $155,000 to $140,000.

With respect to the Department for licenses and permits, the Township Manager advised that Beverage Licenses has been projected at a figure of $1,900. This figure is down from the 2009 actual amount. Council directed the Township Manager to review the licensing information from the state to determine if the reduction is accurate. With respect to the line item for Reinspection, Council questioned the 2009 Actual Amount showing an amount in parenthesis of $1,810. The Township Manager advised that there had been an issue with the computer company regarding this and thought that the correction had been made. She will double check on that matter. With respect to the line item for Large Sign Permits, the Township Manager advised that the figure of $2,304.00 is an accurate figure. Currently, the Township Manager noted she has not billed the Large Sign Permits but would be doing so shortly. The figure showing as a receipt for 2009 is actually a 2008 figure paid in the year 2009. Councilman Atkinson questioned whether or not there are any provisions in the ordinance for a penalty due to the late payment. The Township Manager will check on same.

With respect to the Department for Department Earnings, the Board reviewed several of the line items contained therein. It was noted that Other Interest Earnings has been reduced to $65,000 due to the low interest rates. Councilman Atkinson suggested checking with ING Direct to determine if the Township is in a position to invest with them.

At this point in the meeting, Chairman Paulus continued the public hearing with respect to the proposed 2010 Budgets. The next public hearing will be held on Monday, November 2, 2009 at 4:00 P.M.

Courtesy of the Floor: None

Adjournment:

The meeting was adjourned at 5:03P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Sandra A. Pudliner
Township Manager