2020 Budget

I am pleased to present Borough Council with the Proposed 2020 Budget, totaling $8.5 million dollars. All funds, with the exception of the [01] General Fund, are currently adequately funded and will carry, at minimum, the fund balance recommended by Government accounting guidelines through the 2020 budget cycle. In 2020, the [01] General Fund will comprise 48.40% of the budget and carries the large majority of the Borough’s operating expenses.

A significant portion of the 2020 [01] General Fund revenues are generated from the Act 511 taxes, which are mostly paid by Businesses, Employers and Commercial Property Owners. Those revenues have fallen $195,713 from 2018 and collections fell to a 2017 level. Additionally, there was a return of $60,000 that had to be issued from this classification of taxes. In most cases these one-time expenses are generated by Commercial tax payers who mistakenly payed the incorrect Municipality. Throughout 2019 the Borough continued working with e-Collect, a third-party tax / collection specialist to assist in reducing and/or eliminating future occurrences of this liability while working to identify tax collections that should have been made to Jenkintown Borough. These efforts have identified approximately $50,000 in tax dollars owed to the Borough. In continuing the communities unwavering support of the Borough’s First Responders, Borough Council completed the planned purchase of the 2019 Spartan Aerial Fire Apparatus for the Jenkintown Fire Department. The [04] Fire Apparatus Fund that was established through the recommendations provided in the Borough Council commissioned “VFIS/Dr. Jenniway”, Fire Equipment Assessment Study, provided the framework of the funding for the approximately 1.2 million dollar purchase to replace the Borough Fire Department’s aging twenty year old Fire Apparatus, and will provide the Borough’s First Responders with the latest lifesaving equipment available. This fire apparatus has a useful life expectancy of twenty-five years.

Also, 2019, saw the first full year of the elimination of the per-capita tax, a reduction of approximately $19,000 was realized in the Act 511 tax revenue category. In addition to the aforementioned causes of revenue shortfall, an increase in expense can be anticipated with the JPD collective bargaining agreement currently being negotiated and increased health care costs due to the insurance provider no longer offering the health care plan previously afforded to the Uniform employees.

Additionally, while the tax assessment reduction appeals had slowed and somewhat stabilized in 2019, the real estate assessment for Jenkintown Borough provided by the Montgomery County Board of Assessment had a slight decrease from the 2018 level, with that stated there have been both residential and commercial properties that will be added to the tax rolls in 2020 that had not previously been taxable as presented.

To offset and overcome the reduction in revenues the Borough successfully applied a concerted effort to identify available grant funding opportunities that directly applied to projects that addressed immediate Borough needs. These efforts produced $2,455,157 in funding from Federal, State and County Agencies for projects that will create or improve; Storm water management, Accessibility, Sanitary sewer, Fire life/safety, Green/open space facilities within the Borough.

Moreover, Borough Council’s stated goal was once again to eliminate or minimize any potential tax increase presented in the 2020 budget. While the detailed and thoughtful analysis/review performed by Borough Council during the public budget meetings produced several cost reduction measures, and insured that all other Funds are adequately funded, the expense reductions could not offset the revenue shortfall in the General Fund.

In conclusion, the 2020 Budget contains a proposed increase in tax millage assigned to the [01] General Fund, setting the millage rate for this fund at 5.33 mills will result in a tax millage increase of .40 mills and equate to approximately $60.00 on a property assessed at $150,000.

2019 – MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

  • Grant Funding – The Borough Administration through the Administration and Finance Committee, identified grant funding sources for necessary Revitalization, Capital Project/Infrastructure and open space projects within the Borough. The Borough individually applied and received approximately $1,455,157 in grant funding for projects in 2019. Additionally, the Borough filed a joint municipal grant application with Abington Township to improve pedestrian safety, upgrade traffic control lights and mitigate flooding at the intersection of Washington lane and Greenwood Avenue. That joint Municipal grant was awarded in the amount of $1,000,000.
  • Sanitary Sewer – Again utilizing the Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Study performed in 2016, the Borough identified the Pa State Small Water Grant to fund the required sanitary sewer repairs on the Borough owned sanitary sewer mains this time located in the West A venue drainage basin. The Borough applied for and received this grant ($394,000); bid, awarded and project expected to be completed by years end. The sanitary sewer from Jenkintown Borough traverses Cheltenham Township. That conveyance line “Interceptor A” was mandated to be upgraded by the PaDEP at a cost of over 14 million dollars to which the Borough’s responsibility was 11 %. This improvement along with the sewer mains and lateral repairs within the Borough should allow the continued release of EDU connections, lower costs of sewage treatment and protect the environment from unwanted discharges. Additionally, the Borough has awarded a contract to PFM Consulting to value the Borough main sanitary sewer system. The sanitary sewer system is the single largest capital asset owned by Jenkintown Borough.
  • Infrastructure upgrades – Continued to coordinate infrastructure projects with utility providers (Gas, Electric & Water) to improve safety, minimize disruption to services, maximize cost savings and minimize disruption to Jenkintown Borough tax payers. PECO Gas installed (.5) miles of HP Gas main, new services and safety meters. Aqua Pennsylvania installed one and a half (1.5) mile of new high capacity watermains. Jenkintown Borough installed six (6) storm water inlets and associated piping. Jenkintown Borough also continued the comprehensive paving project, there was one half (.5) mile of roadway repaved and one (1) mile of residential sidewalk evaluated and improvements made to bring the sidewalks back in to code compliance. Installed 4 ADA accessible curb cut ramps. JBPWD completed several road base repairs aimed to extend the life of those existing roads.
  •  Borough Administration – The Borough Administration worked to implement cost saving measures established by the new Finance Director, worked toward the common goal of providing the best possible services at the lowest possible costs to the Borough’s tax payers. The Borough added a Full time Fire Marshal / Building Inspector to staff. There is a significant savings to be realized by having a Borough Code Officer rather than an hourly third-party inspection agency. This program has been very successful in being able to Administer Council’s policies as they apply to Public Safety, Property Maintenance and Revitalization.
  • Parking – Continued cultivating cooperative parking share agreements with property owners to provide night time parking for Borough businesses. Modernization of parking meters and installation of additional kiosk pay stations. Installed and implanted ParkMobile so visitors can pay electronically by phone at all curbside meters. This option has been successful and has shown increased use since implementation. Regulations are being made more uniform, signage has been upgraded and public notifications are made more frequently to keep the public informed of changes such as the Free Holiday Parking Schedule.
  • CLEARGOV – Continued refining financial reporting software “CLEARGOV” that allows for public access and review of all Borough funding revenues/ expenditures. Jenkintown Borough was the first Municipality in Pennsylvania to provide this software, placing the Borough in the forefront of Municipal financial transparency. CLEARGOV has evolved with other platforms that will enable the Borough to continue to provide transparent accounting of Borough projects and affairs.
  • Information Technology – Continued providing ‘live real time feed” of all Borough Council meetings on the Borough website and IT security upgrades.
  • Municipal Planning – Fostered a productive partnership with the Montgomery County Planning Commission, and completed the Borough wide “2035” Comprehensive Plan.
  • Highway Safety– Continued Borough wide street sign replacement program with high reflectivity signage, Implemented replacement plan and installation of traffic safety striping with upgraded thermo-plastic material.
  • Revitalization – Continued fostering cooperative efforts with developers and property owners to populate the commercial districts and revitalize the flourishing business district.
  • School Zone Safety – Completed the installation of the School Zone Safety signals on Walnut Street and replacement of existing school zone warning lights on West Avenue. Completed project for the planning, and installation of new School Zone Safety signage on Greenwood A venue.
  • Borough Code Update – Reviewed and revised Borough Code Chapter 156 Streets & Sidewalks bringing the Code current with improved construction means and methods as well as current Borough standards. Reviewed and revised several Chapters of Borough Code including fire safety and Fire Departments.

2020 – STATED GOALS

  • Community Planning – Continue to foster our productive partnership with the Montgomery County Planning Commission. Provide support to the Borough Planning Commission whose extraordinary efforts have been on display working to preserve the Historic thread of Jenkintown Borough working alongside County and State agencies.
  • Jenkintown 2035 Comprehensive Plan – The Jenkintown Borough Planning Commission has undertaken and will continue to move forward with the implementation of the “Jenkintown 2035” Jenkintown Borough Comprehensive Plan. Historic preservation, Economic development, Open space and Parking are areas of the Plan that immediate work was begun, and progress has been made on thus far.
  • Jenkintown/Wyncote Train Station ADA Improvements – Borough Council, JBPC and Borough Administration has continued working through the FT A Section 106 ADA Access review process. The Borough’s focus has been on making sure the Historic train station remains relevant to business and travelers. The Borough plans to continue to be engaged in this project and providing input to generate the best possible outcome from the Federally mandated ADA access improvements. Additionally, the Borough plans to be engaged in the new SEPTA Parking facility which will be located at 165 Township Line Road including but not limited to attending meetings and providing valuable input regarding the ascetics and pedestrian/ vehicle access to the facility.
  • Grant Funding – Continue working to identify, obtain and apply for grant opportunities that meet the Borough’s specific needs including; infrastructure, beautification and open space.
  • Cedar Street/Moretti Parklet – Complete the demolition/remediation phase of the park project. Complete the bid/design specifications and place the park project out for public competitive bid. Construction of the park facility is scheduled to take place in 2020.
  • Sanitary Sewer Projects -The replacement of the sanitary conveyance system carrying Borough sewer through Cheltenham Township and on to the Philadelphia waste water treatment plant began in late 2017. That conveyance line “Interceptor A” was mandated to be upgraded by the PaDEP at a cost of over 14 million dollars to which the Borough’s responsibility was 11 %. This improvement along with the sewer mains and lateral repairs within the Borough should allow the continued release of EDU connections, lower costs of sewage treatment and protect the environment from unwanted discharges. Additionally, the Borough has awarded a contract to PFM Consulting to value the Borough main sanitary sewer system. The sanitary sewer system is the single largest capital asset owned by Jenkintown Borough.
  • Joint Municipal Partnerships – Continue working on cooperative projects with neighboring municipalities in order to continue stormwater, sewer, paving and traffic/street lighting projects at a cost savings to the Borough tax payers. Additionally, begin the implementation of the grant with Abington Township to improve pedestrian safety, upgrade traffic control lights and mitigate flooding at the intersection of Washington lane and Greenwood Avenue. That joint Municipal grant was awarded in the amount of $1,000,000
  • Infrastructure Upgrades – Work to complete the PECO utility pole project, coordinate efforts with PECO to install new gas mains on Runnymede Avenue (Cloverly to Rodman), Florence Avenue (West to Runnymede), Walnut Street (West to Runnymede) and Hillside Avenue (Walnut to Florence) The 2020 Borough paving project, handicap ramp installation, storm water inlet replacements / repairs.
  • Street Sign Replacement – Continue the Borough wide street sign replacement program with high reflectivity signage.
  • JSD – Remain committed to fostering our partnership with the school community and to coordinating efforts when and where possible. Continue working to identify grant opportunities that would benefit the JSD projects presented.
  • Commercial Growth – Continue efforts to welcome businesses into the borough and to administer Council’s policy of consciously balancing a business-friendly atmosphere while insuring the required codes and laws are followed.
  • Capital Plan – Continue to establish a formal plan for repair and replacement of Borough owned assets.
  • Community Well-Being – Continue administering Council’s policies in order to ensure that Jenkintown Borough continues to be an inclusive, safe, family-friendly desirable community to live.

2019 total assessed valuation, provided by Montgomery County is $285,397,439. The tax millage is allocated as follows, based on a 98% collection rate:

 

General Fund                                     5.330 mills                           $1,459,988

Street Light Fund                              0.202 mills                           $55,332

Fire Protection                                  0.600 mills                           $164,351

Fire Apparatus                                  0.450 mills                           $123,264

Library                                                  0.826 mills                           $226,257

Street Tax                                            0.265 mills                           $72,589

Debt Service                                       0.880 mills                           $241,049

Total Real Estate Tax millage     8.553 mills                          $2,342,828

On December 11, 2019, the Jenkintown Borough Council adopted the 2020 Operating Budget. The 2020 Budget can be found hereopens PDF file .