Barring unforeseen circumstances, the Butler Township Commissioners do not anticipate a tax increase in order to realize their 2018 budget.
Township administrators and department heads presented their needs to the commissioners Wednesday night as part of the annual budget meeting. Even though conservative estimates anticipate minimal revenue growth next year, most budgetary requests will be able to be met. Those requests include two new vehicles for the police department as well as a new dump truck, trailer, air compressor and portable tower light for the road crew.
The township also anticipates using $106,000 they have set aside the past two years for new radios for the police and volunteer fire departments. Butler County is paying for 75 percent of radio costs for all municipalities so the township’s contributions will cover all of the police radios and a portion of the radios for firefighters.
The current tax rate for Butler Township is 11.25 mils and 2018 is anticipated to be the seventh consecutive year without an increase. Township commissioners and administrators agreed that future local tax increases are inevitable due to rising costs and the maximization of efforts to save money in recent years.
The commissioners will pass a preliminary 2018 budget with a vote later this month (November 20th) before finalizing the plan for next year in December.
Written By: Ryan Saeler for the Butler Radio Network
