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Home»Board of Commissioners Minutes»Board of Commissioners
11-25-19 Minutes

Board of Commissioners
11-25-19 Minutes

MINUTES

 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS                                         LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP

 REGULAR MEETING                                                         NOVEMBER 25, 2019

 

The following were in ATTENDANCE:

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS                                     TOWNSHIP PERSONNEL

Edward Black, President                                              Thomas G. Vernau, Jr., Township Manager

Dean W. Villone, Vice President                                           Erin G. Trone, Assistant Township Manager

Richard F. Schin                                                                    Richard Grove, Finance Director

Peddrick M. Young, Sr.                                                         David Holl, Public Safety Director

Carolyn Holtzman                                                                 Dan Flint, Public Works Director

                                                                                               Steven P. Miner, Solicitor                

                                                                                               Tina Thomas, Recording Secretary                                                                                         

 

President Black called the November 25, 2019 Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners to order at 7:00 pm followed by a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.  He announced that Proof of Publication was available for review.  

MEETING MINUTES

Commissioner SCHIN moved to approve the minutes from the November 4, 2019 Budget Meeting.  Vice President VILLONE seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Commissioner YOUNG moved to approve the minutes from the November 12, 2019 Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners. Vice President VILLONE seconded the motion and the motion carried 5-0.

Resolution 2019-R-44:  Employee Recognition

President Black read Resolution 2019-R-44 recognizing Erin G. Trone for her countless hours spent on the Capital City Commons redevelopment project.  She was also awarded a $5,000 bonus. Commissioner SCHIN moved to adopt the Resolution and Commissioner YOUNG seconded it. Motion carried 5-0.

 

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

There was no response.

CONSENT AGENDA

President Black asked that any Commissioner, staff member or anyone in attendance who would like to have any item on the Consent Agenda removed for further discussion request so now.  There was no response.

  1. Release of EMT Ian Chambers from his probationary period effective November 28, 2019.
  2. Department Reports for the month of October for Community Development, Facility Maintenance, Fleet Maintenance, Township Engineer, Public Works, and Public Safety.

Commissioner YOUNG moved to approve the Consent Agenda as submitted and Commissioner SCHIN seconded it. Motion carried 5-0.

 

PRESIDENT BLACK

Check Register

Vice President VILLONE moved to approve the Check Register of November 22, 2019 in the amount of $224,778.34 and Commissioner SCHIN seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Resolution 2019-R-45

Commissioner SCHIN moved to adopt Resolution 2019-R-45, filling a vacant position by hiring Glenn M. MaGatz as Public Works Inspector for the Public Works Department, effective January 27, 2020. Commissioner YOUNG seconded the motion and the motion carried 5-0.

 

ANY BUSINESS PERTINENT TO THE TOWNSHIP

There was no response.

 

FINANCE

2020 General Fund and Fire Services Fund Budget discussion

Mr. Grove provided a review of progress from the last budget meeting. He said the patrolman hiring plan is still on track; the ice machine, tires, and camera are back in for the fire department. The Fire Fund will be split into two funds:  operating and capital. He proposed the following questions that are still awaiting decision:

  • New PSOs: full-time and/or part-time.
  • $2 million transfer from the General Fund to the Fire Fund.
  • How much fund balance from the General Fund will be used?
  • What is the spending plan going forward?
  • Tax mix: lowest possible long term or yearly tax increases.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE CLERK FOR LOWER ALLEN FIRE

Discussion was had regarding the administrative clerk request for the Fire Company.  Captain Wirth explained why he felt that 4 hours per day was a reasonable amount of time for the position.  The Board asked if they could get by with 3 hours per day.  Commissioner Schin asked what the pay rate would be.  Mr. Vernau did not remember the exact rate but thought it was $14.86 per hour.

 

PSO POSITION

Mr. Grove stated that the Ad Hoc Committee recommended a full-time PSO for half a year for approximately $20,300 and 500 part-time hours for $9,000. Commissioner Schin spoke about asking staff to look into using part-time PSOs to cover night shifts at the previous meeting. Director Holl said that he looked into it with Mr. Grove. He said the goal of the nighttime hours for the PSOs is availability to get the apparatus out of the station. There is a lot of competition for part-time PSOs who have the certification and training to drive the fire trucks and operate the pumps. Director Holl said that hiring just part-time could be a possibility but the Assignment Availability Factor has to be considered. If the goal is to have two PSOs on daylight and one on at night for 24/7 coverage, it takes seven positions to staff this. The Commissioners suggested using the same dollar amounts agreed upon but for part-time hours. Director Holl agreed to try this approach and will report progress back to the Board.

FIRE FUND

  • No tax increase until 2026, transfer of $2 million from General Fund

Mr. Grove does not recommend this approach. The Operating Budget will show a deficit by 2022. A .5% increase in tax revenues and a 2.5% increase in expenditures is assumed. Even with a large tax increase, more would need to be borrowed and debt service increased.

  • .15 mil increase in 2020, transfer of $2 million from General Fund

Mr. Vernau stated that the tax increase will cover the Operating Budget until 2030. It does not cover capital acquisition, however, and financing will be necessary in 2023 and 2025. The average assessed tax would go from $119 to $147 per average household for the Fire Fund.

  • .26 mil increase in 2020, no transfer from General Fund

Mr. Vernau stated that this is the smallest increase that can be done without transfer from the General Fund. This assumes a .5% increase in tax revenues and a 2.5% increase in expenditures. This would carry through until 2026 when there would be a deficit. Mr. Grove said that debt service would be higher at that point and will cause the deficit to be greater in 2026. The average assessed tax would go from $119 to $168 for the Fire Fund.

  • .32 mil tax increase in 2020, no transfer from General Fund

This assumes a .5% increase in tax revenues and a 2.5% increase in expenditures. Mr. Vernau said this is a 50% increase but requires no transfer from the General Fund. There would not be a deficit until 2030. It provides operating funds and capital replacement funds.

Vice President Villone asked if the Public Safety consultant study could change the fire apparatus replacement schedule. Director Holl did not believe it would. The possible results of the study such as relocating a fire station are not currently covered by funding as it is not currently known. Mr. Vernau went over a letter submitted by Lower Allen Fire Chief Dave Murdoch. It was discussed whether existing staff could cover the administrative duties, but the Fire Company feels everyone is maxed out and requested a part-time four hours per day assistant. This was compromised as three hours per day or 15 hours per week.

Mr. Vernau stated that the current combined tax millage is 3.03 with General, Fire, and Debt Service. The average tax bill on the average assessed home is $572. If a .6 mil increase in General Fund and .26 increase in Fire Fund are included for a millage increase of .86, the additional tax would be $162 per year in addition to the currently average of $572 or $734. Mr. Grove said this would cover the deficit without taking money from the Fund Balance but would require annual low tax increases.

Mr. Grove suggested using $1 million from the Fund Balance but spreading it out over five years. That would provide $200,000 per year. The deficit in the General Fund would be $200,000 every year for the next five years. One large tax increase would be the long term minimal tax burden on the tax payers. It would provide for no tax increases for five years. This would be a tax increase of 1.68 mils of $489. Alternately, taxes can be increased by at least .3 mils every year for the next five years. Mr. Grove said that Administration and Public Works is willing to commit to a 5% increase per year in operating costs. Director Holl said that Public Safety is willing to commit to 7.5% increase in operating costs. This does not include capital expenses. Mr. Grove spoke about the importance of keeping the Fund Balance at a high enough level to preserve our bond rating and be prepared for an unforeseen event like a recession. Mr. Grove stated that the minimum needed for the General Fund is .335 mils plus the .26 mils in the Fire Fund.  

A General Fund increase of .65 mils or $498 added to the General Fund would be $754 total tax on an average assessed home. This would last two years followed by average yearly tax increases of .3 mils in the General Fund.

Mr. Vernau said that he would like to get a budget on the table by December 2nd as it must be advertised to the public. If not, a final meeting would need to be scheduled and advertised for December 30th.

Jeff Logan, 3212 Emerson Way, wished to address the Board regarding the budget. He shared an observation that the anticipated costs that have been discussed sound necessary. He feels that people value Public Safety and will understand increased costs associated with providing it. He stated that the best time to increase taxes is when the economy is good. The Commissioners thanked him for his comments.

In summary, Mr. Vernau said that he would provide the Board with a very different budget next week. With the tax increase, the deficit will go from $786,000 to $200,000 with the requested items included. Mr. Vernau also thanked Mr. Logan for his comments and his appreciation of the difficulty of balancing the budget. President Black also thanked the audience for their input.

 

COMMISSIONERS REPORTS

Director Holl spoke about Coffee with a Cop that will be held tomorrow morning at Starbucks. It goes from 8 am until 10 am.

Commissioner Schin spoke about the outdoor lighting being changed at Christ Community Church recently. He feels it is much brighter on Old Slate Hill Road and causing light pollution.

Vice President Villone talked about speaking with a lot of the staff at Lower Allen Township regarding the budget. He stated that in the end he wants to be able to confidently defend the budget and he feels he can do that. He feels that the items needing conversation were discussed and is pleased with the result. He thanked everyone for their participation and is thankful that it is over. Vice President Villone also spoke about attending TEAM Graduation at Allen Middle School along with President Black. He said that it is a great program and the kids are all excited about it. He wished everyone a happy Thanksgiving.

Commissioner Young spoke about working on budgets for thirty years and he said this year was very interesting. He thanked everyone in the staff and audience and said he was honored to serve the residents of Lower Allen Township.

Mr. Vernau asked the Board when they would want to hold Trick or Treat next year because other municipalities are discussing it. Hamden, East Pennsboro, Upper Allen, and Silver Spring Townships are planning to have it on Thursday 10/29 because Halloween is on Saturday next year. There is a rain date of Saturday 10/31.

ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION

The Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners adjourned to Executive Session at 8:55 pm to discuss Planning Commission appointments and a Triple Crown case update.