NORTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — Some big projects are coming to North Whitehall Township, and the municipality's proposed 2023 budget reflects that.
The township Board of Supervisors voted Monday to approve the proposed 2023 budget. The budget holds the property tax rate at its current 0.6 mils, but transfers $2 million from the cash reserves in the general fund to the capital fund.
- The newly approved budget does not raise property taxes
- The general fund budget has a deficit of $1.7 million because of transfers to the capital fund
- The general fund had an $8 million surplus at the end of 2022
- The biggest expenditure in the budget is township building renovations, estimated to cost $4.4 million
- The budget also has funds for three new full-time employees.
Because of that transfer, the budget’s general fund has about $7.7 million in expected expenditures and a revenue of just under $6 million, with a deficit of about $1.7 million.
Supervisors Chairman Al Geosits said after the budget was proposed on Nov. 7 that he is not worried about transferring money out of the general fund because the township is in good financial shape. The general fund had an $8 million surplus at the end of 2022.
The biggest expenditure in the proposed budget is township building renovations, including to the municipal building, Township Manager Randy Cope said.
Township officials at Monday's meeting estimated the renovations will cost $4.4 million. But Cope said the plans still are preliminary and can change as they continue to discuss the project.
Other projects in the 2023 capital fund include drainage at Shady Lane, Park Valley Road Bridge improvements, Ironton Rail Trail signalized crosswalks and other various improvements to parks.
The budget also includes funds to hire three new full-time township employees: a code enforcement officer, an office receptionist and a director of finance.
Copes said he hopes to not transfer money from the general fund in future years.