Other People's Money?

As 2015 Perkasie Borough budget discussions continue here are a few things that residents may be interested in:

• There is a $700,000 (or is it $800,000?) surplus in the general fund above and beyond the level that was voted on by a previous council to be in reserves.   This is essentially an "overpayment" that electric customers have paid over the past few years.  The question is will this money be returned to the people who have dealt with the 66% rate increase, or will it be spent?  Every $100K is an opportunity for a 1% reduction in electric rates- so borough residents and businesses could see a 7-8% rate reduction next year in electric costs.
• There are plans to hire 3 more borough employees.  Is this really necessary?
• Borough officials have claimed to have "cut" almost $1,000,000 in spending from the budget so far...but this is mostly the "wishlist" items of department heads and therefore not really cuts.   These include electric "smart meters" and a $275,000 street sweeper- that incidentally is being demonstrated at public works this morning (9/30/14) even though it has been cut from the budget (see below pic)
• The borough trash fee could double next year from $12 to $22 as less bags are sold.  The idea has been floated to give borough residents an option of having a toter but this idea received resistance from councilperson Florence Frei (215-257-7054) and Mayor John Hollenbach (215-257-7617) who prefer things stay as they are and not change with the times.

The next budget meeting is Saturday October 4th at 9am at the Borough building at Chestnut & 7th Street.  Will council treat your electric bill (tax) as they would their own money, or is it simply "Other People's Money"?    Do you want your electric rates to go down, or let the Borough keep spending your hard earned money?  You need to demand it.

The $275,000 street sweeper demonstrated at Public Works- will it stay on the cutting room floor or will it sweep more of your electric bill every month?