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On Oct. 14, the township held a 2010 budget workshop at which officials discussed a projected shortfall of $500,000 for 2009.
Most of the shortfall was due to a projected 25-percent drop in earned-income-tax revenues, which was steeper than the 15 percent accounted for in the 2009 budget.
But the next morning, McGuire learned from the Lancaster County Tax Collection Bureau that the shortfall had increased to nearly $580,000.
Suggested solutions to balancing the 2009 budget included transferring money from capital reserve funds to the general fund before the end of the year.
Board member Robert Patterson gave the example of $50,000 that the 2009 budget designated for future contributions toward fire rescue equipment. That money and other capital reserve transfers would come back to the general fund for operating expenses.
"That (earned income tax) is the line item that is really killing this budget," McGuire said during the budget meeting.
The 2010 budget draft, as presented Oct. 14, included $4,589,141 in expenses, up from 2009 expenses of $4,421,232. Income for 2010 is projected at $4,469,946, compared to $4,486,952 in anticipated revenue for 2009.
McGuire said Thursday afternoon that she did not know how news of the even lower earned-income-tax revenues would affect those numbers. As for any proposed millage rate increase for 2010, McGuire said, "We have not even gotten there yet."
Items supervisors discussed removing from the 2010 draft budget include two proposed new full-time police officer positions, replacement of a Ford Explorer used by the police department, and a sign for the township building.
The board discussed replacing two defibrillators rather than the requested three, and reviewing recommended road projects to see if any can be postponed.
Supervisors considered an archival system requested by the community development department. The product would cost about $7,500 for each of the next five years. Patterson he felt the product was a very sophisticated tool that was not needed this year given the tight budget. Supervisor John Baker said he wanted more time to consider the request.
Although the board discussed eliminating two new officers from the 2010 budget, it did not alter a proposed change in a police secretary's status from part-time to full-time.
Police Chief James Walsh suggested that with liquor licenses being allowed for the first time in the township, the supervisors consider the two new police officer positions in a future budget. Having the additional officers would be helpful in combating drunk driving, he said.
