Forks’ 2012 Budget Draft has a $210,000 Deficit

received a rough draft of the township’s 2012 budget Thursday night that projects a $210,000 deficit, but calls for no new taxes.

Supervisors, however, wondered if they were being too nearsighted in their planning.

“Have we explored enough what might happen in 2013?" Supervisor C. David Howell asked. “With a deficit in 2012 and revenues not meeting expenditures, should we consider a ¼-mill tax increase?”

The budget draft amounts to $7,984,665, with revenues falling $210,000 short to cover those expenses. But Finance Manager Jim Farley said the township currently has a $659,000 surplus that will be used in 2012 to make up the difference.

That would reduce the township's budget buffer to $449,000 in 2012.

said the budget included trimming capital expenditures such as a six-month hiring freeze. One police officer is expected to retire in January, and the township won't replace that position until July 2012.

“We’ve made it through this year by the skin of our teeth,” said Supervisor Erik Chuss. “I’m for avoiding a tax increase this year, but we don’t know what the economy will be like next year.”

Chuss and other supervisors agreed that with a revenue shortfall -- and no projection about police salaries and road and sewer projects -- that it would be prudent to project the budgets a few years in advance. That way, supervisors would be in better position to discuss a future tax increase.

Farley said he could provide rough projections for the next finance meeting, which is scheduled for Nov. 10.

Supervisors will vote on the tentative budget at their regular meeting Nov. 17, with final approval on Dec. 15.