Township Manager: 2012 Budget is 'Hanging On"

In a presentation to the township commissioners on Monday, Haverford township manager Lawrence Gentile said that the 2012 township budget is “holding it together” thanks to cost-saving measures and realistic revenue forecasting.

“Overall, revenues are holding steady, but there are some areas we need to watch,” he said.

In a presentation put together by Gentile and township director of finance Aimee Cuthbertson, the manager presented a “snapshot” of the township’s mid-year finances that found its current budget similar to its 2011budget.

“There are really no big variances between where we were last year and where we are this year,” Cuthbertson said.

According to the report, Haverford has collected almost $29 million of a projected $35.9 million for the 2012 fiscal year, a number that represents 3.8 percent increase in 2011. The township’s expenditures are 1.5 percent higher than in 2011, according to the report.

Cuthbertson said that these numbers come as no surprise.

“[The numbers] are where we expected them to be,” she said. “We’re happy with them.”

Looking forward to the rest of the year, Gentile said that a continued effort for department to submit realistic revenue projections, as well looking for additional ways to consolidate services and reduce expenses, will be important.

“We will continue to keep our expenses at a minimal and use realistic forecasting as we prepare for next year’s budget,” he said. “We meet with out staff on a regular basis to make sure we are appropriating expenditures to the right place and time. Our staffing levels are at the lowest we’ve had in years. We will continue to watch as we move into the 2013 operating budget."