2016 Operating Budget

Ferguson Township Budget Key Personnel Board of Supervisors Richard Mascolo, Chair Drew Clemson, Vice Chair Steve Miller Janet Whitaker Elliott Killian Department Managers Mark A. Kunkle, Township Manager David G. Pribulka, Assistant Township Manager David J. Modricker, Director of Public Works Eric R. Endresen, Director of Finance Diane M. Conrad, Chief of Police Raymond J. Stolinas, Director of Planning & Zoning December 14, 2015 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS December 14, 2015 2 Operating Budget FY2016 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION This section will give the reader a brief overview of the budget process the budget message from the the Township Manager will summarize the goals of the township and how the budget will aid in the accomplishment of the goals. Also provided here is a brief overview of the township as well as information about the board of supervisors. Table of Contents 2 Budget Messages 6 Community Profile 12 Form of Government 13 Township Map 14 Voting Wards 15 Board of Supervisors 16 Mission, Vision & Values 17 Township Organizational Chart 19 Personnel Schedule 20 Basis of Budgeting 22 Distinguished Budget Award 23 Budget Process & Overview 24 Description of Township Funds 27 Financial Summary 28 Summary Fund Balances, Revenue & Expenditures 30 Revenue & Expenditures by Fund and Department 36 General Fund (01) 55 300 Revenues 56 400 Expenditures 75 400 BOS 75 December 14, 2015 3 Operating Budget FY2016 401 Executive 78 402/403 Finance & Tax 83 404 Legal 92 406 COG Admin 93 407 IT 94 408 Engineering 97 409 Buildings & Grounds 104 410 Police 107 411-413 Fire 124 414 Planning & Zoning 126 415-421 EMS/Health 133 426-439 Public Works 135 447 Transit 146 452-455 Parks & Trees 147 456-463 Library/Seniors/ 153 Conservation/Economic Development 472-492 Interest/Taxes/ 155 Insurance/Transfers --- Street Light Fund (02) 163 Hydrant Fund (03) 167 Liquid Fuels Fund (35) 170 General Obligation Fund (16) 174 Piney Ridge Fund (18) 178 Ag Preservation Fund (19) 180 Capital Reserve Fund (30) 182 Capital Improvement Plan 189 Regional Capital Recreation Projects Fund (31) 236 Transportation Improvement Fund (32) 238 Pine Grove Mills Streetlight Fund (33) 243 Park Improvement Fund (34) 245 December 14, 2015 4 Operating Budget FY2016 Police Pension Fund (60) 247 Non-Uniform Pension Fund (65) 252 Tom Tudek Memorial Trust Fund (93) 256 Salaries 260 Glossary 262 Financial Policies 269 December 14, 2015 5 Operating Budget FY2016 Manager’s Budget Message November 2015 To the Board of Supervisors and Township Residents, Introduction I am pleased to present the 2016 Township Budget to the Board of Supervisors and the township residents. The budget is prepared in a time of national economic uncertainty as markets fluctuate; interest rates remain very low, low inflation and the consumer price index at nearly zero year to year and wages essentially stagnant. On the other hand, the township budget has created a historically stable financial spending plan that allows for the provision of consistent service delivery, maintenance and upkeep of township infrastructure, improving and expanding desirable projects the community supports. This budget as presented does not require any increases in current tax rates or the implementation of any new taxes. Steady growth in the township has enabled a sufficient revenue stream combined with managing expenses wisely has allowed the township to maintain a healthy fund balance strengthening the financial stability of the township. The total 2016 expenditure budget for all funds including pension and the trust funds is $16,456,143. The total expenditure budget for all governmental funds for 2016 is $16,158,419 representing an increase of $731,166 over the 2015 budget. The General Fund expenditures ($11,395,737) are projected to increase by $272,754, or 2.5% compared to 2015 budget. Budget Preparation Process The Home Rule Charter places responsibility for the preparation of the proposed budget in the office of the Township Manager. Constructing the budget document is consistent with the approved 2016-2020 Capital Improvement Program Budget and with significant input from department heads. Budget Preparation Calendar September 11 Finance Director emails 2015 budget narrative to Department Heads. October 9 Projected 2015 Year-End expenditures, proposed 2016 expenditures, 2016 narrative due Finance Director October 23 Distribute draft budget to Township Manager December 14, 2015 6 Operating Budget FY2016 October 26 to October 30 Manager and Finance Director meet with Department heads to review department budgets November 4 Proposed budget provided to Board of Supervisors November 4 Proposed budget available to public on the web site November 10 and 11 Board of Supervisors/Manager/Staff work sessions December 7 Board of Supervisors public meeting on proposed Budget. The revised proposed budget is made available to the public and on the website December 14 Board of Supervisors adopts Budget “Let our advance worrying become advance thinking and planning.” Winston Churchill Mission/Vision VISION STATEMENT The Township will strive to appropriate staff and resources to maintain the infrastructure inacceptable condition, provide exemplary service, keep Township operations financially stable and keep pace with technology. As a result, the Township can continue to be a leader and model for the Centre Region and other Home Rule municipalities. The Township is considered a ‘Best Place to Live’ due to the high quality of life created in part through a sense of place achieved through the development of a vital town center, a strong diversified community, an effective transportation system, a rural/small town atmosphere and the location and availability of open space. The Township will continue to preserve environmentally sensitive areas. MISSION STATEMENT It is Ferguson Township’s mission to provide efficient, cost effective, professional services to our residents in a fair, cooperative, ethical and honest manner. The Township will endeavor to manage its resources allowing planned, sustainable growth while preserving the quality of life and its unique characteristics. 2015 Accomplishments Received Gold Certification from PA Sustainable Communities Received GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for 2015 Budget Received GFOA Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for 2014 Completed selection process for township auditing firm December 14, 2015 7 Operating Budget FY2016 Completed design and contract/project management for $1,507,669 of capital equipment, streets and parks projects Finalized traffic calming policy Expanded community engagement through a quarterly business leaders Soup/Salad and Sandwich Roundtable Completed selection process for Director of Planning and Zoning Expanded staffing to include an Arborist, Community Planner Completed township introduction video for web site Recognized by niche.com as the fifth best suburban community in Pennsylvania Recognized as one of the top 50 safest communities in Pennsylvania 2016 Initiatives Update the Township Strategic Plan Conduct mock review and achieve Police Department Accreditation Complete design and contract/project management for an estimated $3,013,211 in capital projects and equipment. Complete a new collective bargaining agreement with the Police Association Initiate a rewrite of the SALDO and Zoning Ordinances Select a part-time engineering assistant Complete a promotion process for a Police Department Sergeant and new patrol officer Assist regional effort to replace current Police Department Records Management System Manage a process to revise Terraced Streetscape and Planned Residential Development ordinances Update the Recreation, Parks and Open Space Plan Forecast for the Immediate Future “If you don't know where you are going, you'll end up someplace else.” ― Yogi Berra Although the Township is on solid financial footing and the five year Capital Improvement Program plan forecast positive fund balances in each of the years from 2016-2020 the township needs to be cognizant of new regional and township initiatives that have continuing costs. In particular, personnel growth beyond what is anticipated in the five year forecast will require making choices between continuing to fund current services, completing capital improvement projects and increased taxes. December 14, 2015 8 Operating Budget FY2016 Pension and health care costs continue to be a concern for the near future. Projected pension contribution costs are anticipated to moderate in the next couple of years as the equity markets have recovered from their lows on 2007-2008. Proposed changes to the pension law for new employees will have a positive impact on pension costs but only for new employees following adoption. Health care costs are rising faster than the annual consumer price index. This trend inevitably will cause the township health care premiums to breach the Cadillac Tax threshold. Regional programs which the township participates in have provided good reliable service. The overall cost of these programs has been held to 3% or less for the last three years. Despite this effort the funding formulas used to distribute or allocate the costs among the participating municipalities has resulted in the township paying an increasingly larger share of the overall program costs. Decisions at the regional level on program costs result in a “pay to play” scenario and act as a levy which takes funding decisions out of the hands of the Board of Supervisors. There may be an opportunity

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