Upper Makefield Township

The Board of Supervisors approved the 2010 budget on Wednesday, Dec. 16. The budget includes a 1 mill tax increase for the township, which translates into approximately $72 more dollars per household in property taxes in 2010.

Township Manager Stephanie Teoli said supervisors had numerous meetings and worked on several revisions when considering the tax increase. However, due to the fact that many key revenue sources in the General Fund were sharply impacted by the economic downturn, there had to be an increase in order for the township to keep providing the same level of superior service to the community.

Highlights of the 2010 budget include

• A new police vehicle
• $37,000 for improvements at Lookout Park
• $10,000 for irrigation at Brownsburg Park
• $150,000 for road improvement projects in the Township
• $185,000 for storm drainage work on Eagle Road

In addition to these township improvements, the Board of Supervisors also implemented the following cost reduction measures for the year:

• Eliminating three vacant staff positions
• Reduced insurance costs
• Trimming planned capital expenditures by 25 percent
• Limited spending on equipment for all departments