The Independence Township Board voted unanimously at their Oct. 19 meeting to approve a $5.7 million budget for 2005. The budget included few surprises or hefty monetary needs.
‘It really became clear that there aren’t a lot of large items this year,? said Finance Director Susan Hendricks during the meeting. ‘It’s kind of an unremarkable budget.?
‘It will allow us to continue providing the services we have been .?
This year’s budget is up about $1 million from the $5.6 million in 2004. Hendricks said estimates for state shared revenue are down about $50,000. In 2002, the township brought in $2.9 million in state shared revenue; in 2003, the amount went down to $2.6 million; and in 2004, the township budgeted $2.5 million.
‘We were told we estimated conservatively,? said Hendricks. ‘I prefer that.?
As with most municipalities, personnel accounts for most of the budget, 44 percent in Independence Twp. The largest ticket item is $35,000 for a new phone system in the town hall. Other ‘big? items include $24,500 for maintenance of the buildings at 90 N. Main St. and $25,000 for expansion of the pole barn storage building behind the Department of Public Works.
‘We really started work on this in July or August with the wish lists of department heads,? said Hendricks during the meeting. ‘We went from there.?
Parks and Recreation was among departments affected by budget reductions. Hendricks said the department’s budget is listed at $2.2 million with about 63 percent of that personnel. Several program cuts are being considered, such as the Daddy/Daughter and Mommy/Son dances, but no final list is determined at this time.
‘We’re looking to cut about five to six events,? said Hendricks. ‘We not sure which yet. That’s always a tough one.?
The township currently is levying the following millages: 1.0062 mills for township operations, (the following are voter authorized) 3.1000 mills for the fire department, 0.7135 mills for the library operations, 2.1214 mills for police and 0.3930 for safety paths.
The board also approved a $3.3 million police budget and a $5.2 million fire budget. The township contracts with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department for their police services. Neither budget changed much from the previous year.