Despite Deficit, N. Coventry Taxes Won't Rise in 2021

Image from screenshot

North Coventry Township Manager Erica Batdorf, in yellow box, reviews the proposed 2021 budget with township supervisors during an online meeting on Monday.

Despite a projected deficit of nearly $75,000, the draft 2021 budget North Coventry Supervisors voted unanimously to advertise Monday night will not raise taxes if it remains unchanged.

Township Manager Erica Batdorf outlined the $5,933,082 budget during the Nov. 23 meeting and said despite challenges brought on by the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the economy, a tax hike is not necessary.

As the 2020 budget did, Batdorf proposed using reserves to close the budget gap and avoid a tax hike, which means the tax rate can remain at the current 2.85 mills.

The largest portion of the budget is the general fund, which calls for spending $4,913,636 in 2020. The open space fund, which calls for spending $684,380 will have a $48,820 surplus under the budget plan.

The liquid fuels fund, which comes from state gasoline taxes, is balanced at $321,566 despite an 8 percent decrease caused by people driving fewer miles during the pandemic shut-downs.

The township's total assessed property value also dropped this year, by $1,606,404, according to Batdorf. As a result, keeping the millage the same as 2020 means the property tax will only generate $1,366,500 in 2021 as compared to this year, when it raised $1,384,989 -- a $17,489 loss in revenues.

In addition to reporting on the state of the township's finances, Batdorf also recommended the merging of three capital accounts into a single account. 

The budget, which is on the website and can be viewed by clicking here, will be open for public inspection for several weeks and a vote on the final budget will take place next month.

Click here to see the Tweets from the meeting.