In a couple of weeks, trustees of Independence Township will meet, discuss and most likely pass a budget for 2015. At an Oct. 21 public hearing the proposed budget was presented and overall, supervisor Pat Kittle is satisfied.
‘All the department heads worked hard,? he said a few days after the hearing. ‘We may need to tweak it a little. We’re waiting for the numbers to come in from the (Oakland County) Sheriff’s department. We’re expecting the fees to continue rising.?
Kittle’s proposed general fund budget for next year shows an increase in revenues over 2014 of 2.3 percent — $7,346,507, up $167,212 from $7,179,295.
According to the presentation, property values are expected to generate 3.1 percent more in 2015, from 2014, a $42,139 increase to $1,390,455. State Revenue Sharing is projected at $2,741,000, up $141,000.
The Parks and Recreation Department is projecting $1,622,340 in revenues, up 6.1 percent from 2014.
Kittle said the township administration objectives are to have a balanced budget, build fund equity, maintain and increase township services.
‘I believe if we provide the best services at the best prices we will encourage both current and future residents to live, work and play in Independence,? he said.
He also believes in investing time, work and money to save money and increase services for the future.
For example, the township is considering entering into a fleet vehicle management system, that will cost the township $30 to $40 a month, per vehicle. The township has up to 60 vehicles. According to treasurer Paul Brown, this system will allow department heads to know where vehicles are at all times. They will know if a driver accelerates too fast, is too aggressive when braking, or if a vehicle idles too long.
‘The fuel savings alone will be 10 to 20 percent annually. This program will pay for itself. All of a sudden, drivers are more conscious of how they treat township vehicles,? Brown said.
He also sees a benefit for senior citizen transportation.
‘By knowing where our vehicles are at all times, in real time, we will be able to schedule their rides better. Today we might say, ‘We’ll be there by 1 p.m.? With this system the dispatcher can look at the computer and see where the vehicle is, and if it’s close by, we can ask the caller, ‘Can you be ready in 10 minutes? Our driver is already out your way,?? Brown said.
The proposed budget shows spending to $7,206,241, down 3.1 percent ($228,909) over 2014.
The budget shows the township’s fund balance growing from $4,874,285 to $5,014,551. Kittle said he would like to see the fund balance (surplus) grow to about 25 percent of the entire budget.
‘Some might ask, ‘Why don’t you cut taxes instead of building these reserve fund?? And, that is a good question,? he said.
Kittle believes the township can better control its destiny by having financial security.
‘For example, do we wait for the county to fix our roads? The road commission has their own budget concerns. I’d like to see us identify these problem roads and be able to fix them so our residents don’t kill their cars. What’s more important, fixing roads or lowering the tax rate? I think it’s fixing the roads,? he said.
Kittle said the township has credit rating of AA+, up from the 2013 rating of AA.
‘We’re shooting to match the county’s rating of Triple A.?
Residents can take a look at the numbers themselves, by heading over to the township hall on Waldon Road. The board will vote on the 2015 budget at its Nov. 18 meeting.