West View Officials to Review Draft of 2012 Borough Budget

West View Borough Council members plan to review in detail a proposed $3,175,000 operating budget for 2012 at a workshop at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15. 

The draft budget, prepared by Borough Manager and Secretary Bruce Fromlak, was distributed Wednesday during the council's regular meeting. It includes an overall 1.6 percent decrease in spending compared to 2011's approved budget of $3,228,600 and is slightly less than what was spent in 2010 and 2009. 

Actual expenses for 2011 through October are at about 79 percent of what was budgeted, or $2.54 million. 

Borough officials have been juggling budget numbers this year to account for increasing fuel and capital expenses for the borough's infrastructure, as well as committments made to providing services, such as emergency medical services, and to providing pay increases for employees, negotiated with their unions. 

The draft budget, for example, includes a 3 percent increase in salaries for uniformed employees in the West View Police Department and a 2.5 percent increase in salaries for non-uniformed borough employees. 

Some savings in the 2012 budget is coming from the pay off this year of a 1996 bond. 

Other savings are coming, in part, from Fromlak also serves as West View's Police Chief. 

Wolf received a salary of $68,411 and a vehicle allowance of about $1,000 a year, plus health and retirement benefits, according to borough records. 

Fromlak was not immediately given an increase in pay to take on the added responsibilities, although council members did approve a $1 an hour increase in his pay in October, according to the meeting minutes. 

As police chief, Fromlak received about $89,000 a year in 2009 and 2010. The draft of the 2012 budget includes an increase in pay to $95,000 a year. 

It also includes a salary of $35,000 to add a position for a bookkeeper. 

"My background is not bookkeeping," Fromlak said. "We still need someone who has that skill set." 

The borough's elected officials said at the time of the decision to consolidate the borough's management under Fromlak  

Mayor John R. Henry reiterated Wednesday that the financial restructuring that included the lay off of Wolf is still a work in progress. 

"There is no plan. It's an ongoing, dynamic process," he said. "We're evaluating this first phase." 

The meeting to review the proposed 2012 budget will be held at the council chambers on the second floor of the at 441 Perry Highway. It is open to the public.  

How do you feel about the decision earlier this year to consolidate the management of the borough under the police chief?

What services in West View are a priority for you? Where would you cut spending to ensure those services remained?

Tell us in the comments.