By Tony Wittkowski | Business Reporter | The Herald-Palladium
ST. JOSEPH — Royalton Township trustees met for an hour Friday morning to set a budget for the 2017-18 fiscal year.
Township Manager Steve Tilly said prior to the start of the township’s fiscal year, which begins April 1, they review the current budget and approve any amendments – as well as the next year’s budget.
“We had to amend a few items from this year’s budget,” Tilly said Friday. “We purchased the piece of property between the water tower and the factory building next door. Other than that, it was a normal budget hearing.”
Township officials amended the budget for its building and grounds department to reflect the purchase of that property. The purchase had put the department over budget.
Tilly said they amended the public safety budget to reflect the purchase of the new fire truck. The board approved the purchase of a 70-foot platform fire truck in February for a total of $822,000.
This year’s budget approved Friday was close to the last one, Tilly said.
“Very little change,” he said. “We anticipate revenues will be up a little. We foresee more building and electrical permits. We also switched banks and it appears we’ll have a lower interest rate.”
Royalton used to be with Fifth Third Bank, but made its switch to Chemical Bank.
Tilly said they are also going to take into account a matching portion for any potential park grant they’ll apply for.
“We plugged some money in, but it’s likely we would get a grant over the course of the next three budgeted years,” Tilly said.
Contact Tony Wittkowski at twittkowski@TheHP.com or (269) 932-0358. Follow him on Twitter: @tonywittkowski.
(Author’s Note: This article was originally published on April 1, 2017)
Tony Wittkowski 