New building for rural township in 2010?

At $2,767,368, Sadsbury Township’s 2010 budget is the rural municipality’s highest ever, but the spending plan calls for no tax increase. The budget climbed into the millions because of one line item, $1.98 million for a new township building to replace the aging structure at the corner of White Oak and Noble roads. However, construction of a new building, which would likely include purchasing from PP&L a small strip of neighboring land at an as-yet undetermined price, is not a sure thing. “It’s in the budget but if we can’t get grants, donations and the help, we can’t have the building,” said Supervisor Linda Swift. “We don’t want to commit to put the township in debt but we wanted to put it in the budget just to make sure.” Swift said the modest building was inspected two years ago and while the building inspector said it “wouldn’t fall down, he recommended not putting any money into it because it would fall down within 10 years.” A volunteer building committee has been working on plans for an energy-efficient municipal center incorporating green technologies. The township, whose supervisors passed the budget Dec. 8, has not increased taxes for the past five years. The mill rate will remain at .8 mills. On the revenue side, the township will begin 2010 with $127,406 in cash and savings. The township anticipates receiving $436,475 in real estate and transfer taxes (down about 15 percent); $16,300 in licenses and permits; $57,50 in fines and forfeits; $1,610 in interest, rents and royalties; $33,625 in intergovernmental revenues; a $32,000 county grant for a safety construction project on White Oak Road; $4,025 for hearing fees; $14,350 for building and sewage permits; and an estimated long-term loan of $2,095,827 for the building project, for a total revenue figure of $2,767,368.59. On the expense side, Sadsbury anticipates spending $52,766 for employment taxes; $2,093,550 for general government (including $1.98 million for the building); $53,340 for public safety; $6,000 on public works and sanitation; $390,685 on public works/highways/streets; a $7,250 donation to Moore’s Memorial Library; $43,105 in debt service; $100,622 on employee benefits and withholding; $19,200 on insurance; and $800 in miscellaneous expenses for a total of $2,767,368. In addition, the township anticipates receiving $221,492 in liquid fuels funds and spending the same figure for road maintenance.-30-