Financial Plan Focuses on Future in Forks

Forks Township officials are starting to focus on the future.

After deciding to not institute a tax hike for 2013, officials are hard at work formulating a financial forecast for the next five to seven years to ensure that there's a balance between curbing financial costs and planning for future growth.

Township Manager John Cornell told supervisors at the recent work session that a draft of that plan is just about ready.

"We're not here for discussion," Cornell said. "We're going to start digging into it."

Cornell said that separate work sessions -- possibly several -- to go over the plan will be scheduled.

He said a schedule for those work sessions may be set up at Thursday's supervisors meeting.

The plan was sparked by Supervisor Dan Martyak, who stated that he wouldn't be comfortable with a tax hike.

Supervisors Chairman Erik Chuss said that with upcoming fiscal issues, a plan might help township officials figure out how to pay for expenses over the next few decades for road improvements, fire trucks, police cars and other items.

Cornell stated that he's examined the township's insurance agreements and also had Public Works Director Mark Roberts put together a plan on roads at least for the next four years.

"We're starting to look out long-range," Cornell said.

"This looks like the seven-year itch," Supervisor Bob Egolf joked.

Officials had hoped to receive a draft by the end of February with approval by April 30.