Fire Chief Steve Ronk presented the proposed 2014 Fire Budget to the Independence Township Board, June 4.
Revenues are expected to decrease $92,980, 1.65 percent; labor costs decreasing by $40,313, .98 percent; and contributions to the fund balance down by $77,203, 50.9 percent. The budget will be approved by the board later this year.

Township water
up, sewer down

Independence Township DPW Director Linda Richardson and Budget Analyst Rick Yaeger presented the proposed 2014 DPW Budget to the Board of Trustees during the May 21 meeting at the Township Hall.
The 2014 DPW Water Budget is projected to increase from the 2013 budget by just over $300,000 primarily due to an increase labor and operating costs. Capital costs, which includes equipment purchases, are projected to decrease by $225,600, or 83 percent.
The DPW Sewer Budget labor costs decreased by $64,056 while operating costs rose $91,124 and capital costs decreased $836,500.
Final budgets, still be amended, are set to be approved in October.