2008 News
December 17, 2008
Three Years and Counting: Commissioners Adopt $467.6 Million Budget That Again Includes No Tax Increase
First Three-Year Span of Level County Taxation since 1994-96
During its final bi-monthly meeting of the 2008 calendar, held today at the Levittown Branch of the Bucks County Free Library, the Board of Bucks County Commissioners continued what has become an annual trend – no county property tax increase. Following a Dec. 8 public preliminary budget hearing and weeks of careful analysis and fine-tuning of that document, Chief Operating Officer/Managing Director David Sanko and Director of Finance and Administration Brian Hessenthaler presented a final budget to the commissioners that pared $3.84 million of the initially projected $7.1 million shortfall. Commissioner Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia cast the single “nay” vote.
The 2008 to 2009 budget-to-budget growth of less than one half of one percent reflects a $467.6 total, nearly half of which (or $226 million) is dedicated to Human Services. According to Hessenthaler, “the size of the budget has grown (by $1.8 million from the preliminary $465 million), but at no net cost to the county taxpayers. One of the reasons is that we received a $1.5 million Homeland Security grant for Emergency Services training.”
As an indication of Bucks County’s strong fiscal management and long-term vision, the 2009 budget will draw down just $3.2 million from the county’s general fund balance. That “rainy day” fund, which has grown steadily under Sanko and Hessenthaler’s watch, will carry into 2010 at just over $68 million. The general fund is integral to bolstering the county’s bond ratings, as it is a key indicator of any government’s financial solvency.
Commissioner Chairman Jim Cawley is particularly pleased that the county property tax millage rate will remain at 21.942 for the third consecutive year. “In this difficult economic climate, it is our job as elected officials to contain costs while continuing to provide quality services for more than 625,000 Bucks County residents,” Chairman Cawley noted. “I would like to offer my gratitude to our Finance Department, division leaders and department heads who worked diligently since the budget process was set in motion back in August.”
According to Hessenthaler, the preliminary budget’s $7.1 million projected shortfall was sliced by more than half as a result of paring $447,000 in expenditures and adding $3.4 million in revenues. Those revenues included $1.7 million by raising the anticipated tax collection rate from 96 to 97 percent, $1.05 million through the projected sale of the former Upper Bucks Government Services Center in Quakertown, $360,000 of gaming revenue from Bensalem’s Philadelphia Park, $175,000additional projected revenue from three row offices (Clerk of Courts, Prothonotary and Sheriff) and $55,000 from a Health Dept. grant, among others.
The last time Bucks County government strung together three consecutive budgets without a tax increase was 1994-96, when the three-member board consisted first of Mark S. Schweiker, Andrew L. Warren and Sandra A. Miller and subsequently of current board member Charles H. Martin, Michael G. Fitzpatrick and Miller.
Underscoring the current commissioners’ commitment to Public Safety, just under 28 percent of the 2009 budget is dedicated to that arena. All nine additional staff positions that will be added next year fall under the Public Safety umbrella – including four additional 911 dispatchers, three court positions, and two district attorneys.
To view the 2009 Bucks County budget, visit www.BucksCounty.org or stop by the Commissioners’ Office of Public Information, which is located on the fifth floor of the courthouse in Doylestown Borough, 55 E. Court St.
Other business conducted at this, the last meeting of 2008, included the adoption of agreements for 17 departments. Under the auspices of the county’s Agricultural Land Preservation Program, Rich Harvey introduced three farms newly protected by conservation easements with the commissioners’ unanimous approval. Approximately 150 new acres, featuring a variety of crops from strawberries to string beans, now bring the total number of preserved farms to 123. Amplifying on the county’s commitment to preservation, commissioners approved New Britain Township’s Municipal Open Space Program grant reimbursement, the first reimbursement made under the new program. Also approved was an agreement with East Rockhill Township to assist in updating their open space plan.
A pair of Human Resources agreements, one with the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 825, AFL-CIO and the other with the Lieutenants and Captains at the Bucks County Department of Corrections, was approved at the meeting. Marseglia abstained from both.
As part of efforts to reduce spending, the commissioners unanimously agreed to petition the county’s state legislative delegation for removal of what they dub an obsolete role – that of jury commissioner. Until such time, though it is not within their authority to remove the position from the county manning table, (that authority rests with the commonwealth) they are able to reduce compensation for the elected position, as well as remove benefits. In order to do so, the commissioners must hold a special meeting which is scheduled for Monday, December 29 at 6 p.m. in the courthouse community room. They will additionally pen a letter to the Bucks delegation asking for removal of the position.
Earlier in the morning, 2008 Poet Laureate Paula Raimondo received a proclamation from the commissioners recognized the Newtown resident’s esteemed accomplishment. As has been the tradition, the poet laureate was accompanied by Program Administrator Dr. Allen Hoey.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the chairman read a list of items needed by the nearby American Red Cross Lower Bucks Chapter Homeless Shelter shelter, asking Bucks Countians for their generosity this holiday season. Doing their part to help, the Board also approved $5,000 grant. At the conclusion of the meting, Commissioners Cawley and Martin, accompanied by staff, visited the facility. Cawley notes the effort was intended to raise awareness of the needs of the facility, especially given current economic conditions. The list of needed items can be found on the Health and Human Services page of the county Web site.
Audio from the Commissioners' meeting can be found on the 2008 Public Meetings page.