2005 News
November 23, 2005
County Releases Preliminary 2006 Budget
Click Here for the 2006 Preliminary Budget
The County of Bucks today released a $432 million preliminary operating budget for 2006.
Rising costs and decreased revenue for federal/ state mandated programs has impacted the 2006 budget, Finance Director Brian Hessenthaler said, citing a significant $5.4 million shortfall in anticipated federal/state funding, contractual mandates and wage increases (cost of living).
Hessenthaler also said the county has been hard hit by higher energy costs of $1.5 million and $1.3 million in healthcare cost increases.
The multi-million dollar decrease in federal/state funding affected several mandated programs overseen by Bucks County’s Children & Youth Social Services and Juvenile Placement, he said. To support the programs, the county added $4 million to the budget and is seeking the remainder from the state.
He also said the proposed budget reflects a modest 4.9 percent cost increase, which is the lowest the county has incurred since 2001.
Hessenthaler pointed out that 48 percent of the county budget is allocated to the Health and Human Services sector, while the Courts and Corrections area account for an additional 20 percent and another 15 percent going to Public Works, Parks & Recreation and Community and Emergency Services, which also includes the county libraries and Bucks County Community College.
The 2006 preliminary budget contains a 1.74 mill increase, which means the average taxpayer will pay an additional $61 a year in county taxes.
Another factor affecting the proposed budget is the addition of 12 full-time positions that are primarily state-mandated, although several are partially or fully funded. The new posts are in the following areas: Human Services (4), Courts (3), Emergency Communications (1), and Row offices (4).
“The preliminary budget reflects months of work to contain costs, while trying to maintain a high level of services to the residents of Bucks County,” said Chief Operating Officer David M. Sanko.
The COO reiterated the position of the county now faced with federal/state funding cuts. “What is driving the budget is the rising cost of energy and health benefits, as well as budget shifting in Harrisburg.”
Before releasing the preliminary budget, the county pared about $12 million from departmental and agency budget requests, including new positions. Sanko said, however, the preliminary budget will undergo further scrutiny by the staff and county commissioners before adoption.
A public hearing will be held Nov. 29, at 6:30 p.m., in the Courthouse Community Room, Doylestown. Final adoption is scheduled for the Dec. 21 meeting of the Bucks County Commissioners at 10 a.m. The meeting also will be held in the Courthouse Community Room.
The preliminary budget is posted on the county website www.buckscounty.org and copies are available in the Levittown and Quakertown Government Service offices, or the Office of Public Information, 5th floor, Courthouse, Doylestown.