Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Pitman council reviews 2025 budget, weighs capital priorities
Summary
Council members reviewed the proposed 2025 budget and capital request list; Administrator McCafferty urged passage to avoid enlarging the deficit while CFO Bachich warned of a projected surplus decline and upcoming Bond/BAN payments. Capital priorities include SCBA bottles, a street sweeper and trash trucks.
Mayor Razze called the Borough of Pitman work session to order at 6:03 p.m. and read the Open Public Meetings Act statement aloud. Administrator Sandra McCafferty told council members the borough should "pass the budget as presented for the financial health of the Borough," arguing that "additional cuts only create a further deficit and require more to be used from surplus."
Borough CFO Bachich outlined a projected decline in surplus and summarized expected Bond and BAN payments, saying the borough will need to plan for those obligations in coming years. Council members debated short-term measures to improve the surplus, including potential revenue from the sale of borough property (amount not specified) and the fiscal impact of union contracts that are not yet negotiated.
Council also reviewed capital requests. Members identified immediate priorities including replacement SCBA bottles for the Fire Department, a new street sweeper and replacement trash trucks, while noting that a new fire truck and painting the water tower could be deferred. Council scheduled further budget discussion for April 28 and planned budget introduction for the May 12 meeting. Council President James asked that proposed changes be submitted in advance to help prepare a focused agenda.
