At a July 23 meeting, Poland trustees discovered the township was in a $1600 deficit on the 2027 tax budget.
In January, the board of trustees approved and completed four projects that were within the budget.
Then in June, trustees approved two more projects; chairman Eric Ungaro told 21 News that those projects are what put the township in the negative.
Poland Township Trustees have found a budget deficit during a special meeting, equating to roughly $1,600. Anthony Leonardi shares details on what could have caused the deficit.
“We’ve kind of stretched the dollar as far as we can, and we’ve done a phenomenal job. I think this year if we don’t do five of those projects we’re not even having this conversation,” Ungaro explained.
Ungaro said that the two newest projects were approved before the 2027 tax budget was completed. During the approval, trustees were warned that they would be near a deficit with the addition of the two projects.
“At that time the board decided that if we do these projects we’re going to be running a tight ship,” Ungaro mentioned.
During the special meeting, Fiscal Officer Paul Canter said that cuts would have to be made for the township to get through the next seven months.
You can listen to the meeting here.
Looking ahead, the board of trustees will be holding another meeting on July 28 at 6 PM to further discuss the townships finances.
Ungaro said cuts could be voted on during this meeting.
“We’re just going to have a meeting and start addressing where we can make cuts,” Ungaro explained. “That could be laying off seasonal workers, maybe we don’t buy paper for the rest of the year, or some drastic things that we have to look at.”
Ungaro explained that nobody has been laid off prior to the July 28 meeting, however several vacant positions at the police department will not be filled at this time.
In addition, overtime hours were limited to emergency purposes only, and part time workers are expected to receive reduced hours.
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