Final of four parts

When the Salisbury Township Board of Commissioners considers a vote at its 7 p.m. Dec. 9 meeting to approve the 2022 budget, it will be doing so with the cost of government, as with most pocketbook issues, increasing.

The increases are mainly in the areas of salaries and funding for capital improvements.

The proposed 2022 Salisbury Township budget calls for a general fund of $11,077,907 and total expenditures of $21,821,909.

The township budget is supported by a millage increase, 0.50 of a mill, from 2.42 mills to 2.92 mills. The 0.50 mill increase is: 0.25 mill for township police hires and 0.25 mill for township capital improvements.

If the budget is not approved Dec. 9, a meeting could be held Dec. 21, changed from Dec. 23 because of the Christmas holiday observance.

The township tax hike is, on average, $120 annually, or $10 per month, based on the township median residential property valuation of $235,000.

As part of the proposed 2022 township budget, water rates increase 35 cents from $7 to $7.35 per 1,000 gallons.

For a family averaging 20,000 gallons use per quarter, the increase is $10 per quarter and $40 annually, or an average increase of $3 per month.

The water rate hike is a pass-along increase from the Lehigh County Authority.

Trash hauling and recycling rates will not increase.

In salaries and benefits, most increases are based on collective bargaining agreements.

The township administration staff is in alignment with public works staff of 3.75 percent increases.

The township police department is receiving a 3.5 percent salary increase.

In 2022, nonuniformed employees will contribute 2.5 percent, up from 2 percent in 2021 and uniformed employees will contribute 3 percent, which is unchanged, to the defined pension plan.

For 2022 health insurance rates, an increase of 5 percent is in the draft budget. Nonuniformed employees’ biweekly contributions increase $5 for single and family coverage and uniformed employees’ contributions increase $7.50 for single and $10 for family coverage.

The 2022 budget sets general government goals, including:

•Hire an instructional technology specialist.

•Improve cyber security of the township network by upgrading firewalls, replacing aging servers and migrating some software into the cloud.

•Implement a new geographic information system to assist with management of township roads, water and sewer systems and park reservations.

•Negotiate a new public works collective bargaining agreement which expires Dec. 31, 2022.

•Replace municipal building and public works HVAC units for $150,000.

•Develop a maintenance plan for township buildings.

In other plans for 2022:

•A part-time secretary in the front office will be filled.

•New phones are being leased in an upgrade at the end of 2021.

•The parking lot at the municipal building will be repaired for $15,000.

•The police department will be expanded with the ending of the magistrate office lease in March 2022. Construction is to start in 2023.

•The vacant police sergeant position is expected to be filled.

•Body cameras for police officers will be implemented.

•A shooting range for township police officers will be designed and constructed at Franko Farms Park for $50,000.

•A police vehicle will be replaced for $52,000.

•In community development, the part-time code enforcement officer will become a full-time code enforcement officer-inspector.

•In fire services, a short- and long-term plan for recruiting and retaining volunteers is to be developed.

•In public works, two vacancies to be filled.

•In the highway equipment, a leaf truck will be purchased for $206,000, a roadside mowing tractor will be replaced for $177,000 and a paving trailer will be replaced for $37,500.

•Also in public works, engineering costs of $70,000 are budgeted for stormwater projects, which will cost $700,000 (covered mostly by American Rescue Plan Act funds), at Laubach Park in order to proceed with the park improvement master plan.

•In parks, pickleball courts will be constructed at Green Acres Park for $45,000, Devonshire Park tennis courts will be resurfaced for $75,000 and Devonshire Park bathrooms will be refurbished for $15,000.

•In the recreation department, on tap are the Easter Egg Hunt and summer parks programs.