Bensalem SPRING 2009 - 1,2,19,20 - Bensalem Township

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MAYOR DIGIROLAMO'S 2009 BUDGET MESSAGE
OVERVIEW
$4,000,000 Community Center Grant to the School District
It is my pleasure to provide to Bensalem residents the 2009 $600,000 Housing for the Disabled
Municipal Budget. Pursuant to Section 2-24 of the Code of the $2,000,000 Road Paving
Township of Bensalem, it is my pleasure to submit to you my 2009 $500,000 Galloway Road Extension
Municipal Budget. This budget is a continuation of mine and $675,000 Eddington Drainage Project
Council's commitment to building and maintaining our $5,500,000 Police Department Building Addition
community's infrastructure while providing for a long term BACKGROUND
sustainable community.
The millage rate in the 2009 budget is 18.50 mills, the same
This is the sixteenth Budget I've prepared and presented to rate approved in 2008. The breakdown of the total mills is General
Council. Every one is a balancing act and this years is an even Fund 8.25 mills, Sinking Fund 4.75 mills, Recreation 2.25 mills, Fire
greater testament of that fact. It is not just balancing dollars and 1.75 mills, Rescue .70 mills, Street Light .75 mills and Road
cents, though that's a challenge. It is a balancing act in how we Machinery .05 mills.
allocate our resources.
The 2009 Budget provides funding for 215 full time
Because we have managed our resources well, this budget is employees. The largest department is the Police Department with
balanced. My office is a prime example of that effort. Through 134 full time employees of which 103 are sworn officers.
reassignment of duties I have reduced my staff by one person.
The Township is still benefitting from the wisdom of the
In tight financial times, we must first meet our responsibility for Township Council in preserving the principal from the sale of the
today's basic needs residents depend on and expect from their Water and Sewer Systems in the Capital Trust Fund. I and my
government, from police to patching potholes, from responding to administration are proud of our performance in investing these
EMS calls to fixing traffic signals, mowing parkland and issuing funds on behalf of Bensalem Township. With all the financial
building permits. We also need to balance these responsibilities institutions that have had problems this year, I can report that due to
with our continued commitment to important projects and our conservative investment policy we have had no loss of principal
initiatives that we have already begun, to ensure that our Township dollars. We have generated interest from these funds. Interest is a
is in a strong position to move forward once the economy major component of the Township's income; it represents 6% of all
improves.
revenue.
We have demanded strong management. We have shown that I am proud to report here on the status of some of the many
in difficult times, tough minded leaders can make tough decisions significant projects that we have been able to move forward with
that deliver results. We have also shown that if we do our job right, and are the result of our insightful budgeting process. We will see
some of the best results we deliver won't be seen until tomorrow. the opening of a new 30 acre soccer complex that includes a
Well that tomorrow is now here. At a time when Wall Street is in walking trail and active recreation facilities for children. Our
unprecedented turmoil, and our national economy is floundering; Emergency Management Training Facility will also open next year.
strong fiscal management has laid the ground work for our This facility will ensure that our police, fire and rescue personnel
Township to meet head on these tough economic times.
continue to be the best trained in Bucks County. The fourth phase
The 2009 Township Budget expenditures are $62,213,000. of the Route 13 Beautification project between Biddies Lane and
There is no tax increase included in this budget. This represents Tennis Avenue will be completed.
funding for all services at current levels, and $3,700,000 for the Another highlight of this budget that I am proud of is our
continuation of the Property Owners Assistance Grant. Each grant continuing efforts to make Bensalem Township greener. Our fleet of
amount will be $250 with income eligible seniors receiving an natural gas vehicles is now five in total. We have also added four
additional $100.
fuel efficient SMART cars to our fleet. In 2008, we began
The major component of the Township Budget is the General participating in the Wind Power Program offered by PECO. Today,
Fund which is the operating fund of the Township. The General the Township Building and the Country Club Facilities are 100
Fund derives its revenue from a variety of sources; our largest is percent WIND POWERED. As part of the police expansion that is in
$10,000,000 from casino gaming operations at Philadelphia Park. the Capital Fund budget, the Township is considering SOLAR
The next largest revenue is the real estate tax providing $4,800,000, POWER for electricity generation. Again, Bensalem Township is in
then business taxes generating $3,625,000.
the forefront of Bucks County municipalities in this important
There is no increase for 2009 expenditures in the General
Fund total budget. The largest portion of the General Fund
initiative. I and Council encourage all of our residents and
businesses to become proactive in helping MAKE BENSALEM
expenditures is for the Police Department at $18,370,700. The next GREENER.
largest expenditure is the $3,700,000 for the Homeowners
Assistance Grant, followed by $2,212,700 for Public Works and
SUMMARY
I am extremely pleased once again to state the 2009 Budget
$1,580,800 for the Building and Planning Department. contains NO INCREASE IN ANY TAXES. The real estate millage is
The Budget for the Bensalem Township Country Club is the same in 2009 as in 2008; the general fund millage is the
$3,450,700. The Country Club is an enterprise fund. This means it same rate it has been since 2001. WE WILL CONTINUE TO
is conducted in a manner similar to a private business. No tax
money is used at the Country Club. Fees for services are
PROVIDE THE HOMEOWNERS ASSISTANCE GRANT.
As you know, "I am a will find a way to make it happen kind of
sufficient to cover operating expenses. The Country Club is person". While these times are filled with economic uncertainty, we
completing its second full year under the direction of the Township. are poised to weather what comes before us. How will we do that
Many changes have taken place to enhance the Golf Course and you may ask The same way I, the Council and my Staff have done
the Banquet facilities. As a testament to this fact, the Country Club so for the past 15 years - As a TEAM! Together we have put in place
has been given the Neighbor's Choice Award for 2008 by the a more effective and responsive government, enhanced our
Philadelphia Inquirer. The projected increase in operating revenue Township's economic position in the region and improved the
is the result of these physical and operational improvements. quality of life for our residents and business partners.
The Capital Improvement Fund of $14,837,000 will be used for By continuing to work together, we will be able to keep our
equipment, vehicles, construction and improvement of municipal Township strong today and make it the must be place to live, work
facilities. Notable projects in the 2009 Budget include:
and play, not only today but for our future generations.
BENSALEM FALL FESTIVAL
CELEBRATE COMMUNITY PRIDE 2009!
Have you heard Saturday, October 3rd is Bensalem's Signature
Community Event! This year's evening entertainment will feature a "Broadway
Stage Review" Spectacular and of course the fireworks display to blow you
away!
Perhaps your business or group would like to participate as a sponsor!
The event brochure will be available in the next few weeks. Please log on to
Bensalem Township's website at www.bensalem-township.net and then click
on "FALL FESTIVAL" link.
SIGHTSEEING DESTINATIONS
Did you know, Bucks County has topped the list as one of the Top
29 Sightseeing Destinations in the World (Life Books)
"Immediately North of Philadelphia and across the Delaware River
from New Jersey, rustic Bucks County, Pennsylvania, is a quaint
countryside retreat known for charming B&Bs, country inns, covered
bridges, serene vineyards, and beautiful colonial estates. Spend an
afternoon discovering the shops, art galleries, and taverns in Northern
Bucks County or visit nearby Valley Forge, the site of George
Washington's Revolutionary War encampment.
Located Just 1.5 hours from New York, 2.5 hours from Baltimore, and less than an hour by car from Philadelphia, Bucks
County make an easy one-tank trip. With people tightening their financial belts this year, 2009 is the perfect time to visit our
area. With Sesame Place opening the largest attraction in its history, "The Count's Splash Castle, Bensalem has thousands of
conveniently located lodging for your convenience. For more information on Bensalem, Bucks County contact the Bucks
County Conference and Visitor's Bureau located at 3207 Street Road, Bensalem, PA 19020, call 215-639-0300 or visit
www.bccvb.org.
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OCTOBER 3, 2009
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