Addison Township’s trustees approved the 2009-2010 budget amid sharp scrutiny from a former township supervisor at the township’s annual meeting March 28.
Ex-Supervisor Bob Koski, ousted from office in the August 2008 primary after 16 years in office, accused the current leadership of being fiscally irresponsible.
‘I’ve submitted 16 budgets in the past, so I feel I have knowledge of this process,? Koski said. ‘That’s 16 years of careful prudence.?
At the meeting, current supervisor Bruce Pearson gave his report on the township while public hearings were held on Truth in Taxation and resolutions on the general appropriations and the grant application or the Lake George Nature Park.
The township approved a $1,347,692 general fund budget (supported by a 1.0425-mill tax), $882,250 fire budget (2.056 mills), $282,060 fire capital budget (0.6390 mill) and $1,026,500 police budget (3.35 mills).
Pearson, who replaced Koski as supervisor last November, described the work of the township office as being a ‘we? effort.
‘Everyone at the office works together,? he said. ‘They’ve been fiscally responsible and work to make sure people’s money is very secure.?
To try to maintain the financial security, the township recently announced a freeze in many wages to compensate for future reductions in property taxes.
‘We’re working to continue to keep our budget balanced,? Pearson said. ‘I believe it is and will be in the future.?
While some citizens in the public forum praised Pearson, some also were very critical. Koski voiced his concerns about the township’s upcoming budget and wondered if it would lead to eventual bankruptcy.
Koski said his budgets resulted in the improvement of the township’s financial status while ensuring the taxpayer dollars were ‘carefully and wisely? spent.
Among the things done in recent years have been the upgrading of township computer systems and improving both the watershed preserve and the township’s meeting room.
With this current budget, Koski disagreed it was a balanced one since it includes $237,000 from what he called the ‘capital reserve.?
‘Now, in Pearson’s first budget there’s a proposed budget deficit of almost a quarter million dollars,? Koski said. ‘Don’t let the fact that he said ‘balanced budget? fool you.?
The township has $1,348,497 in projected revenues for 2009-2010, giving it a surplus of $805.
Koski said the capital reserve was developed from his previous budget surpluses and that it keeps township credit ratings solid and keeps generating income from CDs–both of which he believes would decrease as a result of using the capital reserve funds in the budget.
‘We’re starting down the path of township bankruptcy,? Koski said, adding that Addison also will have to deal with what he described as a probable reduction in state revenue sharing.
He added: ?[Pearson] should be saving the capital reserve for the survival of the government. Calling it a surplus is laughable and an insult to the taxpayers? intelligence.?
Township treasurer Dan Alberty disagreed with Koski’s reference of ‘capital reserve? saying the extra funds Koski was talking about actually was money left over from previous budgets. Specifically, money allotted for various projects (including building maintenance) but never spent.
‘If we didn’t use this $237,000, we’d have no money to gravel the roads, no money for parks or other community projects,? Alberty said after the meeting.
Pearson added: ‘Mr. Koski allocated money for projects but then didn’t do the projects. Then he comes back and talks about how much money he saved the township. You don’t collect taxes to put big large sums of money in the bank and then not spend it. You collect taxes to benefit the needs of the people.?
As a result, Pearson said, they’re having to work on some projects, including building maintenance.
Alberty noted that in the past three years, many projects that have gone uncompleted–resulting in about $535,000 in unspent funds.
‘It looks really fiscally responsible, but when you consider what we didn’t get done, it’s not fiscally responsible,? he said.
Last year, the treasurer noted, about $23,000 was allotted for parks with $3,000 going towards Polly Ann Trail maintenance and $20,000 for equipment. Of these, only the $3,000 for the trail was spent. Legal fees have also been expensive in recent years, he said.
Also, Pearson said, the ‘saved? money has meant further damage to the fascia outside the township hall. It’s rotting, and when it does, the roof leaks.
‘All these things were promised, and then when not done, we were told about the money being saved,? the supervisor said.
He added: ‘These are things that if you keep putting them off, the place falls down. You can gloat about saving money, but if the problem doesn’t go away, are you really saving money??