Douglass supervisors review 2025 budget showing $437,132 projected General Fund deficit

The Douglass Township Board of Supervisors on Nov. 4 reviewed a proposed 2025 budget that currently shows a projected General Fund deficit of $437,132. Chair Joshua Stouch said the capital projects summary totals about $1.8 million and that "approximately 1 million was covered by grants," and staff discussed shifting eligible road projects into State Aid and other special‑revenue funds to reduce General Fund pressure.

Manager Andrew Duncan and Cynthia O'Donnell summarized fund balances and line‑item considerations: the Capital Reserve is shown at $340,000, the recycling program faces a $16,591 deficit for 2025 largely attributed to incomplete trash‑billing audits by the contractor, and a recently awarded 902 grant is not yet reflected in worksheet totals. The board discussed using Employee Benefit Fund balances and eliminating an internal transfer to reduce the negative balance, and Duncan said USDA loan paperwork is expected to be finalized in early 2025.

Board members and department heads reviewed staffing and expense options. The draft budget includes three new positions (one police officer, one highway/parks position for nine months, and a 50% assistant manager split between office administration and zoning). Stouch said staff believe the deficit can be improved "with no need to increase real estate tax millage," noting the last real‑estate tax increase occurred in 2020. The board directed further line‑item reviews between the manager, treasurer, and department heads before finalizing the budget.