Taxes to Increase Slightly with Operating Budget

The 2013 operating budget is under cap but contains a slight increase to township taxes, according to officials.

Mayor David Stahl introduced the 2013 operating budget for the township at Monday's televised township council meeting.

The proposed $55.9 million budget contains a $35 million tax levy, a $66,753 increase over last year's tax levy, Stahl said.

The increase is due to lost property values in the township, especially through property tax appeals that the township has been paying out, Stahl said.

The refunds make the budget process "extremely difficult," he said.

Township administrator James White said the budget process began in October, and at one point, officials had it flat over last year's budget. But, the total township budget has been decreasing each year, White and Stahl said.

This year's operating budget is "$10 million less than when I took office four years ago," Stahl said.

The operating budget works in conjunction with the township's capital budget, which was on the March 18 council agenda.

The budget presentation from the May 6 council meeting can be viewed in two parts here and here, via EBTV.