West Chester’s Operational Budget presented to Board of Trustees | News

WEST CHESTER, OH (FOX19) - The 2013 Operational Budget was presented Jan. 15th to the West Chester Board of Trustees at a public work session. The operational budget presentation focused on the community’s primary funds only – General Fund, Police Fund, Fire and EMS Funds and Roads and Maintenance Funds.

Township Administrator Judi Boyko presented an operational budget of approximately $38.33 million in expenditures.

West Chester’s Operational Budget, presented each January, does not represent individual expenditures or encumbrances, but rather is a detailed illustration of expected expenditures by account code assigned to specific budget priorities which are set by the Board of Trustees. The merit of expenditures greater than $2,500 must be evaluated and approved separately by the Board of Trustees in a public forum throughout the year.

The 2013 Operational Budget responds to revenue reductions from varying funding sources including the elimination of the Estate Tax and the Tangible Personal Property Tax and also reflects West Chester’s ongoing commitment to fiscal restraint.

It is the budgetary practice of West Chester to underestimate revenues and account for potential or unanticipated and unexpected expenditures in order to fund potential liabilities and be prepared for unforeseen circumstances or situations. This practice has allowed the Township to remain within self-imposed budgetary constraints and build a carryover which demonstrates fiscal solvency and will benefit the community through lean times.

Additionally, the traditional strategy of an operational budget based on need and not on availability of funds, further ensures staff expends within the budgetary constraints.

“With a successful history of budget planning and fiscal restraint, the proposed budget continues to be conservative in revenue projections and budgeted expenditures to effectively allocate resources for the most critical needs,” Mrs. Boyko said.