The Acting Director of Public Works, Mr. Marvin Harris, made a comprehensive presentation, detailing the department’s responsibilities and financial needs. The DPW, tasked with maintaining township infrastructure and managing essential services like road maintenance, garbage contract administration, and snow removal, is facing rising costs. This increase is attributed to the needs for additional training, uniforms, and safety equipment due to personnel growth. Harris noted that training costs are expected to rise from $500 to $1,500 to enhance the skills of supervisors, while travel expenses for municipal conferences are projected to increase from $300 to $400.

A budgetary concern is the aging machinery within the DPW, which has led to rising vehicle repair expenses, averaging $97,000 over the past two years. However, the future introduction of newer vehicles, including electric models, is expected to mitigate these costs. Additionally, the budget for public events is proposed to increase from $1,500 to $3,000, aimed at supporting community events like parades and celebrations.

In contrast, the Recreation and Parks department’s budget proposal highlighted a substantial increase in funding for the annual Jazz Festival. The proposed budget for the festival is $243,800, marking a $59,000 increase from the previous year. This rise is driven by escalating costs associated with artist fees, equipment rentals, and logistical expenses. The council discussed the sustainability of this event, given its financial outlay, and emphasized the need for generating revenue through corporate sponsorships to offset these costs. Concerns were raised about the festival’s viability as a profitable event, prompting suggestions for enhancing sponsorship opportunities and incorporating new revenue streams, such as food and beverage sales.

The police department’s budget was another focal point. The department’s budget request includes a $4,000 increase in travel expenses, justified by the need for professional development and training. A substantial $166,000 increase in patrol training costs was noted, attributed to rising expenses at the police academy for new recruits. The budget for K9 training is also slated for an increase, with plans to acquire a new dual-purpose dog. Additionally, adjustments in the budget were made to accommodate community engagement efforts, with a proposed increase of $3,500 to cover the loss of grant funding.

The meeting also delved into the budget proposal for the library, which requested an increase in salaries and wages due to staffing additions and pay raises. While the budget for print materials and audiovisual content decreased, reflecting a shift towards digital and downloadable content, the software and licenses budget saw an increase to accommodate a new foreign language database. Concerns about the library’s funding were raised, particularly in light of potential relocations and future programming needs.