Forks Supervisor Struggles with Financial Forecast

Forks Township Supervisor David Billings doesn't believe that township officials are hitting all of their targets in trying to come up with a seven-year financial plan.

As township officials continue to meet monthly toward completing a plan—which was slated to be done at the end of April—Billings worries that residents might not swallow such a proposal so easily.

"We need to easily explain to our residents how efficiently we spend taxpayers money," Billings said. "I am starting to lose faith we have the will to develop these types of metrics."

Township officials devoted their work session earlier this month to the financial plan, as supervisors and department heads spent the meeting reviewing the capital requirements over the next seven years for all departments, Supervisors Chairman Erik Chuss said.

"The meeting went well," Chuss said.

Billings wasn't as enthralled, stating the meeting went "OK."

"We got a good look at the seven-year capital program, but I will continue to insist we look at better ways of conducting township business," Billings said.

Chuss stated that the financial forecast will be updated with some adjustments to the capital accounts identified at the meeting.

He said that township officials will hold a brainstorming session at the May 2 work session to examine all potential revenue and expenses and how to reduce the budget deficits and burden on residents and businesses.

Township officials decided to put together the plan because of a budget crunch that they feel needs to be addressed. Township officials held off increasing taxes this year, but many believe it would have helped offset rising expenses.