Antrim Township approves 2008 preliminary budget
By PAT FRIDGEN Echo Pilot

The Antrim Township Board of Supervisors approved the 2008 preliminary budget Nov. 6. It will now be open to public review for 20 days, with an expected adoption Dec. 11.

Township manager Ben Thomas Jr. projected revenues of $3.76 million in the general fund, and expenditures of $5.91 million. This included completion of Antrim Township Community Park. If reserve funds were used the budget could balance. He said $2 million was set aside for the park and the monies would come from the landfill fund, residential recreation fees and reserve funds.

The budget includes engineering expenses for a transportation impact fee review for U.S. 11 south and Route 16 west and traffic signal upgrades at Exit 5. The township would contribute $118,500 for emergency services.

The budget includes $200,000 set aside for a future police force. The capital reserve fund retains $5.7 million for a municipal government center, of which $4 million could be transferred from the landfill fund. For ag preservation, $300,000 is set aside, and engineering for the extension of Grindstone Hill Road Phase II is expected to be $600,000.

Thomas budgeted $1 million for roadway re-construction and maintenance projects being reviewed by the supervisors.

He cautioned the board on the use of reserve funds.

"These funds have aided in keeping the real estate taxes at a low 2 mills. Depletion may result in future substantial tax increases, especially if supervisors budget for police services, other emergency services (staffing) or low traffic-volume roadway reconstruction, where income is not derived from such projects," he said.

Thomas reported the real estate valuation in the township, estimated by Franklin County, is $140 million, a 2.4 percent increase from last year. Revenue sources for 2008 are the earned income tax, real estate transfer tax, per capita tax, occupational privilege tax and real estate tax.

Board chairman James Byers said he did not favor completing the park in one year. Thomas said if they finished Phase 3 and graded the land for Phases 4 and 5, that would shave $1 million from the deficit. Byers also doubted the township could spend the full million on roads.

Fred Young, Sam Miller and Curtis Myers voted not to sell the 1997 dump truck and purchase a new one, as stated in the preliminary budget. Byers and Scott Diffenderfer cast the opposite vote.

Miller suggested putting just $2 million into the budget for a government center.

Byers replied, "I was hoping to wait until January with the new board. You're shutting the whole thing down."

"I agree with you. I'll wait until January," said Miller. "I'm sorry."

Miller, as well as Young and Myers, had stated in previous meetings they did not want to make any decisions on the center until the general election was over and the new board was seated. Rick Baer will replace Diffenderfer, who did not run for re-election.