BY DAVID ECK
Enquirer Contributor
UNION TOWNSHIP -- There may be more money for police operations next year in this booming Butler County township under a proposed $20.1 million budget.
If trustees approve, spending for the police department will rise from this year's $4.6 million to a projected $7.3 million next year. An upgraded communications center and additional personnel will be most of the increase, said Union Township Clerk - Treasurer Pat Williams.
The fire department will have $5.3 million next year, about $500,000 less than in 1998. The township expects to open two new fire stations in 1998, and the budgets reflect building and operating those stations, Mrs. Williams said.
The budget proposal also earmarks a $3.9 million general fund, with the rest for road improvements, road maintenance and carryover. The community is expected to receive $17.9 million in 1999 and has $8.3 million carried over from 1998.
Trustees are reviewing the proposed 1999 budget and are expected to approve it at their July 14 meeting. The budget is then examined by the county and may be revised slightly, but it typically is the township's working budget.
"It more or less becomes the operating budget of the township," Mrs. Williams said. "There may be some adjustments but I don't expect anything super-major. I try to make it realistic."
The budget mirrors the community's dramatic growth in recent years, especially in commercial development. The township's 1998 budget is $15.7 million while its 1997 budget was $12.7 million. The police and fire operations have the two largest departmental budgets in the township. Their spending has increased rapidly, reflecting the overall growth. Spending in the fire department went from $2.5 million in 1996 to $3.8 million in 1997. On the police side, the budget jumped from $3.8 million in 1996 to $4.4 million in 1997.
"It's been looked at before," said Trustee Jose Alvarez. "The bottom line is we're a growing community, (and) we have to make sure the services for community citizens keep up with the growth."
