Forks Township Supervisors Restore Original Petty Cash to Recreation Board

The Forks Township Board of Supervisors has reinstated the $10,000 petty cash fund for the Recreation Board. 

“I believe this works,” said Dan Martyak, president of the Forks Township Athletic Association. “Eighteen months in the works we’re here.”

On Thursday, Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to provide $10,000 in petty cash. The account will be replenished once it drops down to $2,500. Additionally, checks written under the board account cannot exceed $500 and must have two signatures, one of which must be from the township parks and recreation director or recreation board treasurer. Those officials would be responsible for the checkbook.

Last week, supervisors handed down the task of placing an amount to be issued into a petty cash fund to the township parks and recreation director, township finance manager board treasurer.

Supervisors were given two options to vote on, $10,000 or a $5,000 account. Under the $5,000 option supervisors the fund would be replenished at $1000 and the board would be allowed to write checks up to $200 with two required signatures, one of which from either the board treasurer or parks and recreation director. 

“Both proposals are based on the premise of the need to pay officials,” said township Finance Manager Jim Farley.

Farley said the fund would pay for commission fees for sports events, referees and coaches. Also, the two signatures would be in keeping with township policies and procedures board already has in place.

Board Treasurer John O’Neil was not on hand at the meeting, but according to Farley, about $117,000 has been allocated for youth sports this year. Of those funds, $30,000 to $35,000 is used for umpire and referee fees alone.

A seed amount of $5,000 already has been added to a new PNC account created by the township.  

“And that fund should be ready to go in another week or so,” he added. 

The board previously used an account at Lafayette Ambassador Bank. In January, township officials requested that account be turned over.

In October, supervisors presented the new draft ordinance that would repeal the 1960 ordinance that created the board. According to township officials, the ordinance was drafted in response to changes within the township through the years.  

Just recently board officials and supervisors met to work out a final draft version ordinance that would update the current board ordinance. That version has not yet been voted on for final approval.