By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
Heeding the Township Council’s request to minimize the municipal property tax rate increase, Municipal Manager Richard Krawczun presented the council with a final version of the 2009 municipal budget that contains a 1-cent tax rate increase.
The council introduced the proposed $40.8 million municipal budget at its April 22 meeting. A public hearing and final action on the proposed spending plan is set for the council’s June 4 meeting.
Under the 2009 municipal budget, the municipal property tax rate would increase from 71 cents per $100 of assessed value to 72 cents. This means the owner of a house assessed at the township average of $164,581 would pay $1,184.98, which is a $16.46 increase over the 2008 tax bill of $1,168.52.
The first draft of the municipal budget — presented in January — would have increased the municipal property tax rate from 71 cents to 74 cents and also would have included layoffs of three full-time employees and one part-time employee.
But the version that was introduced last week does not call for layoffs and, in fact, calls for hiring five emergency medical technicians to support the around-the-clock township-operated emergency medical service. Three part-time positions that already had been eliminated would not be restored nor would there be summer helpers for the Public Works Department.
The 2009 municipal budget presented by Mr. Krawczun for introduction reduces spending in some municipal and also anticipates increases in revenue from other departments. The budget anticipates a $20,000 increase in fines from the Lawrence Township Municipal Court and at least $300,000 from the sale of a newly created liquor license.
The budget also anticipates saving about $200,000 by having the township take on the task of providing emergency medical services and terminating its contract with Capital Health Systems. Under the present system, the township provides EMS coverage daytime coverage during the week, and CHS provides it in the evenings and on the weekends. (See related story.)
The council spent some time discussing the possibility of furloughs for municipal workers, but no decision was reached. There was some concern about the impact of furloughs on municipal services.
Although he was gratified the tax rate increase is being held to a minimum, Township Councilman Rick Miller said even to increase the tax rate by 1 cent, it would be “a big bear that (some property owners) are going to have to tackle.”
“I spoke to a couple this weekend, and they both lost their jobs,” Mr. Miller said. “A lot of people who work on commission have taken a huge hit (in income).”

