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Washington Township council adopts 2024 municipal budget, bond and multiple ordinances
Summary
The council unanimously adopted the 2024 municipal budget and approved a $4.31 million bond ordinance and several code updates, including stormwater and solid-waste chapters. Council members said the budget balances rising operating costs while limiting the tax increase.
Washington Township Council voted unanimously on July 24 to adopt the 2024 municipal budget and to pass a package of capital and code ordinances, approving measures the council said balance rising costs with limited tax increases.
The council adopted Resolution R207-2024 to finalize the 2024 municipal budget after opening and immediately closing a public hearing with no public comment. The council also approved two related resolutions, R205-2024 (conducting the public hearing) and R206-2024 (amending the budget for adoption). All votes were 5–0 in favor: Mr. Yerkes, Mr. Bennett, Mr. Brown, Council Vice President Mr. DellaPia and Mr. Del Borrello voted yes.
Council also adopted Ordinance 0006-2024, a bond ordinance appropriating $4,310,000 and authorizing $4,094,500 in bonds or notes to finance various 2024 capital improvements. The ordinance was opened to the public, received no comment and passed 5–0. The council simultaneously approved Ordinance 0007-2024 (salaries for certain officers and employees), Ordinance 0008-2024 (amendment to Chapter 213 adding Article VIII on privately owned salt storage), Ordinance 0009-2024 (repealing and replacing Chapter 214, stormwater management) and Ordinance 0010-2024 (repealing and replacing Chapter 212, solid waste and recycling management); each ordinance was opened for public comment with none offered and each passed unanimously.
Council Vice President Mr. DellaPia framed the votes in budgetary terms, saying the cost to operate the township — including trash, salaries and benefits — has increased "$10 million over eight years; however, taxes were only raised 1 cent until last year." He said the council made difficult choices and balanced the budget while limiting the tax increase "by only raising taxes half of the cost to run the town."
The council signaled the capital funds (bond proceeds) will be used for multiple projects included in the 2024 capital program; specifics and implementation dates were not provided during the meeting. The public hearing on the budget produced no resident testimony.
The meeting record shows unanimous roll-call approval for each listed ordinance and resolution. The council scheduled no additional hearings on these items at this meeting.
The council adjourned at 7:09 p.m.; the next regular meeting is scheduled for Aug. 14, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
