2007 News
November 21 , 2007
Click here to view 2008 Preliminary Budget
Commissioners, Chief Operating Officer and Finance Director Announce $466 Million 2008 Preliminary Budget
Projected 1.6 Percent Budget-to-Budget Growth to Include No Tax Increase
After unanimously approved resolutions for 14 departments during today’s regularly scheduled bi-monthly meeting, the Board of Bucks County Commissioners – Charles H. Martin, chairman, James F. Cawley, Esq., and Sandra A. Miller – shifted the proceedings to Chief Operating Officer David M. Sanko and Finance Director Brian Hessenthaler. Offering a “preliminary” analysis of the county’s 2008 operating budget, Hessenthaler projected a $466 million figure, which would represent a 1.6 percent budget-to-budget growth from the $448 million 2007 operating budget.
“The majority of the budget is dedicated to two areas, Health and Human Services, which is just under 50 percent (49.7) of the budget, and public safety, which is 27 percent. That is the cost side,” Hessenthaler explained. “The good news is that there is additional funding coming to offset some of the increases. The overall net effect is that we see no tax increase for the second straight year.”
While emphasizing that the final budget numbers must still hold up to scrutiny from the commissioners and members of the public (during an early December hearing), Chairman Martin praised Hessenthaler, Sanko, Deputy Finance Director David Boscola and division leaders/department heads for their diligence throughout the ongoing process. “We will refine some things, and we look forward to reviewing the budget,” Martin noted. Added Commissioner Cawley: “I, too, want to thank Dave and Brian and the rest of our staff who have been looking very carefully at the budget. I am struck by the fact that there are other municipal governments in Bucks County who are facing tax increases, and we are able to once again to do our part in continuing excellent services while keeping an eye on the bottom line.”
During his bi-weekly report, Sanko discussed the November 6 General Election results, which have been certified. A total of 119,258 voters participated or, as Sanko pointed out, “that represents an all-time high in terms of people voting in a commissioner-only election.”
Sanko also detailed last weekend’s trip to Hershey for the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania Fall Conference, which he made with Commissioner Cawley. “We were able to get a checklist of things we need to do as we prepare for a new term (and the commissioners’ inauguration on Jan. 7, 2008),” Sanko, who has been in contact with Commissioner-Elect Diane Ellis-Marseglia, noted. “We go there with the opportunity to learn new best practices, but often come back with a clearer indication of how much of a leader Bucks County is in so many fields.”
Also upcoming will be a Dec. 1 meeting of the commissioners’ Delaware River Flood Task Force, which will be hosted by Pennsylvania Gov. Edward G. Rendell in his Philadelphia office. Rendell agreed to host a special meeting at the commissioners’ request.
One of the highlights of the resolution portion of the meeting was the approval of a $152,000 contract for installation of 31 geothermal wells required for a “green” HVAC system at Churchville Nature Center. “This is the start of the new green building expansion project,” Executive Director of County Parks Bill Mitchell told the assemblage.
At the start of the meeting, the commissioners recognized 2007 Bucks County Poet Laureate Marsha Kroll, who recited her work, “Big Sky Country.” Joining Kroll, the county’s 31st Poet Laureate, was the program’s administrator, Dr. Allen Hoey.