Radnor Commissioners: Budget Issues Discussed, Eastern Plans Approved

Monday night at a regular meeting of the Radnor Township Board of Commissioners, the board heard a report from a citizen economic committee, discussed plans for an unexpected surplus, and approved campus renovation plan.

In addressing the board, Karl Bupp, the chairman of the Citizen's Audit Review and Financial Advisory Committee (CARFAC), admitted the members of his newly formed committee are still educating themselves on the particularities of both the 2012 budget and the township budgetary process, but nevertheless made a fairly bold recommendation.

Bupp said that while the 2012 budget is, by and large, sound, the CARFAC advocates the township trim the budget by $380,000—$190,000 of which would would come cuts township employees would be tasked with identifying.

Bupp said that while CARFAC formed too late to contribute meaningfully to the 2012 budget, they will play a role in the 2011 audit and make recommendations on the 2013 budget. They have designed a five-year township planning model that will inform these recommendations.

After Bupp's presentation, township finance director William White fielded questions on possible allocations of the township's fund balance. Radnor's policy is to maintain a General Fund balance that amounts to 15 percent of expenditures—a figure that, this year, amounts to $4,165,769. White said that, due to better than expected revenue return, the General Fund balance is $5,337,074.

White recommended the board use the surplus to pay down some of the township's off-budget liabilities: 40 percent to compensated absence, 30 percent to capital funding, and 15 percent each to other post employment benefits (OPEB) and pensions.

A resolution to determine distribution of the funds will be drawn up for the Dec. 12 meeting.

The board also unanimously approved a resolution allowing Eastern University to execute their longstanding land development plan—the centerpiece of which is a 43,005 sq. foot student union building. After a protracted debate surrounding the creation of a new road on campus, the board added an addendum to the resolution mandating the university take steps to shield nearby homes from the resulting headlights.

In other township business, the board approved the purchase of six radar feedback displays for the police department for $22,575; approved Kevin Kochanski as township community development director; rescinded a 1986 ordinance that had limited parking on the 100 block of Poplar Avenue to 2 hours at a time with the exception of Sundays and holidays; approved a handicap parking space at 881 Glenbrook Avenue; in separate votes, removed permit parking restrictions in Emlen Tunnell Park and Glenbrook avenue; and voted to allow Woodlynne School to play basketball and volleyball in the township gymnasium facility for the 2011-12 season and Hill Top Preparatory to play basketball.