Haverford Township commissioners voted to move forward with a preliminary budget that includes a 3.9% real estate tax increase. Township Manager Dave Burman said the proposed $54.9 million budget does not add any new positions but includes a 4.2% raise for police and a 3.5% increase for other township staff. Burman said personnel costs, which have gradually increased, are nearly 70% of the budget. In 2025, there will be a 6.5% increase to health insurance premiums, which along with a 16% increase in employee coverage, will add $700,000 to the budget. Burman said the proposed budget for sewer rents would increase by 4%, however the trash fee would remain the same. The average impact is $60, said Board of Commissioners President Larry Holmes, who noted the cost of governing increases over time and the township has to be prepared to deal with that, either by creating revenue or streamlining. Budget adoption is scheduled for the Monday, Dec. 9, meeting.
Source: Daily Times; 11/20/2024