Board Approves Preliminary Budget With No Tax Increase

The Lower Southampton Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the 2012 preliminary budget Wednesday evening.

The budget, which includes no tax increase, began with "a rather large deficit," but according to Chairman John McMenamin all of the department heads looked closely at their budgets.

"We did see significant savings from the departments," he said. In addition, the board reviewed some of the capital projects and decided that "some were wants and not needs."

"We did this without a tax increase and without laying off any employees," McMenamin said.

A home in Lower Southampton assessed at about $24,985 will pay about $351.79 in taxes in 2012, according to township Manager Ted Taylor. The millage rate will remain at 14.08.

However, McMenamin said that if the economy does not improve, the township will find itself in the same situation next year.

The Board of Supervisors will vote on the final 2012 budget December 7.