Budget season has begun!

This morning, I and my fellow councilmen met with Michele Meade, Bill Nadolny, and various department heads to discuss their programs and budgets for 2011.  First up was the Police Department whose major requests included bullet proof vests, a weapon unloading station, a continuation of the program to upgrade police car video systems from VHS to digital, and beginning to upgrade the police radios from analog to digital.  Having just returned from the SHOT (Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade) show in Las Vegas, I was able to bring back some knowledge of body armor and its costs and will be providing this information to the Town Manager and Purchasing Agent.  The police were budgeting approximately $555 per vest; I had been quoted costs in the $325-$350 range.  As I am acutely aware, just because it's part of a State contract, doesn't mean it will be the lowest bid.

Next meeting was with Jennifer Hessberger, the director of SYLS - under whose purview both the Senior Youth and Leisure Services fall as well as the Swimming Pool Utility.  The major purchase discussed was a new Senior Bus.  Given that the Senior Bus had been out of commission for a period this year, causing some hardship for the seniors within the community, a new bus has been determined to be needed and the 'old' one will be held as a backup. The good news is that 75% of the bus cost will be funded through a State grant.

The Town Council had discussed the new pool fees proposed by SYLS at the 1/10 meeting.  At that meeting, we had requested that the fees for 2011 be held at the 2010 level for senior couples - with a maximum of $2 increase for individual seniors.  There were also nominal increases for families and individuals.  This fee schedule was confirmed today.

The Township Clerk's budget actually showed some opportunities for savings.  In this budget, all the cost for postage for all Township mailings are accrued; but as the VAST majority of mailings are within the 07039 area code, we have an opportunity to get first class mailing at a very reduced pre-sort rate.  In addition, I provided Glenn with information on printing vendors who could potentially provide printing services at a much lower rate than is currently being budgeted.

Health & Human Services presented a very 'flat' budget and a substantial amount of their costs are covered through fees and/or State grants.  An example of shared services at its finest is Livingston's provision of Public Health Services for Milburn Township.  This is a great model which I know I am anxious to see proliferated through other departments.

The final presentation was that of the Fire Department.  The Chief and Asst. Chief both came down to discuss their budgets.  Of course, in all discussions with both the police and fire department, safety of the officers is paramount.  But it should not preclude us from questioning capital expenditures.  Unfortunately, one of my fellow councilmen thought it proper to chastise me for doing so.  The perception has been that if the police wanted to patrol on elephants, the Town Council would ask how many they needed.  NO LONGER!  Our responsibility is to know where the dollars are going and if we don't ask the questions, we are not fulfilling our obligations.  What I do believe, as has been evident in the meetings today, is that the department heads are acutely aware of the financial realities and are doing their best to keep requests reasonable and costs low.

Our next round of budget hearings is on Wednesday, January 26th at 7 PM.  I hope that my fellow councilmen will take the opportunity to review the budget in more depth so that they too can challenge how the taxpayers money is being spent.