SOUTH ABINGTON TWP. — The Board of Supervisors voted at its Dec. 14 meeting to adopt the 2016 budget, with no tax increase, along with two ordinances increasing fees for on lot sewer system administration and significant industrial users of the sewer system.
The budget includes a total of $7,390,888, with a breakdown of $4,105,086 in the general fund, $220,850 in the fire fund, $62,550 in the recreation fund, $2,630,485 in the sewer fund and $290,445 in liquid fuels and $81,472 in the PIB loan.
The first ordinance, No. 237, establishes “a schedule of fees to be charged in connection with the administration of the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act, including applications for permits to install, modify, repair and replace on-site sewer systems and site evaluations for planning purposes, minor subdivision reviews, major subdivision reviews, soil placement verification and appeals in the township.”
Township Manager David O’Neill explained the last time the municipality increased these fees was in 1992.
“We’re just updating to mimic what’s across the area in sewer fees,” he said. “It’s for sewer enforcement officers to go out to do the inspections, to do the perc testing. …Just to bring the fees up to what it costs us for the engineers to go out there. We’re covering all our expenses.”
Ordinance No. 238 increases the sewage rates for significant business and industrial sewer users by about 200 percent. O’Neill explained while residential rates increased over the years, the significant user rate has not been updated since 1991.
In other business, the board approved resolutions for the 2016 Ransom and Newton townships’ police contracts.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Jan. 11 at the township building on Shady Lane road.
