Whether you've heard it through town gossip or read in the Main Line Times, Narberth Borough Council voted to accept the 2009 budget which has a 0% tax increase. Kudos to them!
In the original 2009 budget proposal a 1 mill increase had been planned. If enacted, this would have cost residents an additional $1 for each $1000 of assessed property value per year.
So, why the good news? A few big reasons.
- Narberth paid Lower Merion about $80,000 in 2008 for police support services. This includes things like officer backup, jail cells, and other items. Lower Merion proposed increasing that amount to $240,000 after a 'recalculation' of how the cost of those services are estimated. Thanks go to Borough Council for dancing the political dance and renegotiated that fee to $91,000. Lower Merion agreed to this lower fee after consideration that Narberth Volunteer Fire Company provides services to the Lower Merion community without compensation.
With that fact in mind, have you
sent in your financial support to the Narberth Volunteer Fire Company? This is an excellent example of how citizen volunteer hours help to save us big dollars on our tax bill.
- Headcount reduction on our police force has lowered payroll expenses. In 2008 we had seven officers and in 2009, there are five officers with a sixth to be hired in a few months time. As salaries comprise the Borough's biggest expenses, there is significant savings.
- The $156,000 in rent that the Borough receives from the Narberth School Building was added back to the income side of the budget. The status of this building is currently in dispute as the 30-year agreement between Lower Merion School District and Narberth Borough comes to a close. Lower Merion seeks to reclaim the building but the agreement only permits its use as a school -- a desire Lower Merion School District has not expressed.
After years of increases considerably above the rate of inflation, all Narberth residents should congratulate the council and Bill Martin for their hard work on our behalf.
