Township Budget crisis and Budget Advisory Working Group survey

I, along with many members of the community, attended the recent Budget Advisory Working Group(BAWG) public information and commentary session. As a result of this meeting I contacted municipal officials in other areas and obtained a list of possible cost cutting solutions. While, not all of these measures may be necessary for Tredyffrin, they should be considered. I included this information in my response to BAWG’s survey. Examples of the measures that are being utilized in our region include:
Mandated, across-the-board department budget cuts (some up to 5%);
Mandated cessation of staff conference allowances, except where required for maintenance of professional licensures;
Consideration of furlough days and hiring freezes;
Elimination of overtime pay for salaried employees;
Mandated review of each departments’ personnel job descriptions and reassessment of job functions;
Detailed review of insurance and benefit expenditures;
Freeze on all capital project expenditures (unless required for safety reasons);
Development of purchasing trusts with neighboring municipalities;
Renegotiation of vendor contracts;
“Green” cost cutting methods such as turning off significant portions of lighting in and around municipal buildings and facilities; reduction in air conditioning use; and
Reduction in park maintenance and cleaning services for Township buildings.

BAWG and the Supervisors also must be aware that some of these measures present complex legal implications for Tredyffrin. I will be attending a conference in Harrisburg in August that will discuss, among other topics, the legal obligations of municipalities as they consider reductions in workforce, changes to health insurance premiums, pension costs, and relevant bargaining obligations for unionized employees.


Cost cutting will not be enough. BAWG and the Supervisors also need to reevaluate how Tredyffrin creates future revenue. Tredyffrin must continue to attract and maintain businesses in our area. We also need to maximize the use of our existing parks and public facilities to attract additional revenue for the Township.

Finally, the best way for Tredyffrin to weather difficult economic times is to continue to tap its best resource; a highly informed and educated population. This Township is one of the most successful in our Commonwealth because of its ability to obtain highly qualified volunteers for its many citizen boards and leadership positions. The membership of BAWG is an example of that. However, if residents don’t participate in the survey, our leaders cannot work with Township management to effectuate the necessary policy changes. I have been actively urging people through emails and grass roots contact during my door to door campaign to respond to the survey. Here is the website for BAWG: http://www.tredyffrinbawg.org/. Please fill out the survey!