Ephrata Twp. Keeps Taxes Flat, Raises Employees’ Pay

BY KIMBERLY MARSELAS

Correspondent

Ephrata Township officials trimmed about $50,000 from a 2014 spending plan before approving the final version Dec. 17.

The $2.89-million budget reflects savings expected from a renegotiated police services contract, while creating an equipment fund that could later be used for a new dump truck.

Supervisors voted 3-0 in favor of the changes, as well as a measure that would provide employee pay raises at an average of 2.5 percent.

"We were able to balance the budget this year with no tax increase," said chairman Clark Stauffer. "We've done very well (over) the last year."

The municipal tax rate will remain at 1.37 mills, meaning the owner of a property assessed at $100,000 will pay $137.

Manager Steve Sawyer said the township has benefited from a "conservative and safe" approach to estimating earned income sales tax receipts, which outperformed expectations in 2013.

The township has also seen some evidence of an economic improvement, with real estate sales taxes on the increase.

The budget also includes about $17,000 in payments to local fire stations to help them buy new communications devices.

About $26,000 will be set aside for a new dump truck, which could cost a total of $125,000.

Sawyer said he is also expecting an end-of-year reconciliation payment from Ephrata Borough. That money would also likely be added to the equipment fund.

Sawyer said he also budgeted for an increased cost in employee benefits, though proposed rates won't be available until January. The township policy expires in March.

Sawyer said he is exploring Benecon, a health insurance consortium that recently began offering coverage to small municipalities in Pennsylvania.

Also on Tuesday, the board discussed hiring a part-time seasonal employee to assist with snow removal. The township is down a maintenance crew member, following a mower accident that severely injured an employee in early December.

The township usually depends on four employees and emergency contractors to plow and salt local roads. Sawyer said the reduced staffing means it may take longer to treat all roads. Stauffer also expressed concern that those who worked this month's snowstorms were overly tired.

Sawyer plans to investigate hiring a 20-hour-a-week employee and add to the township's emergency driver list.