The fiscal year of the Town shall begin on the first day of
January and end on the last day of December of each year.
On or before the 15th day of October of each year, the Manager
shall submit to Council a proposed budget for the ensuing fiscal year
and an accompanying message which shall explain the budget both in
fiscal terms and in terms of programs. At the same time the Manager
shall submit to Council a proposed program and schedule of capital
projects for the next five (5) fiscal years. The capital program shall
include cost estimates, time schedules and plans for financing such
projects. The Budget shall provide a complete financial plan for all
Town funds, activities and capital programs, together with an explanation
of major changes from the prior year. Except as required by this Charter,
the budget shall be in such form as Council may require. The total
proposed expenditures for the fiscal year, including proposed capital
appropriations for that year, shall not exceed the total amount of
revenues anticipated or available for that year.
The proposed annual budget, capital program, subsequently adopted
budget, budget message, and all supporting documents shall be public
records and shall be available for public inspection in the municipal
building during reasonable business hours.
The annual budget, including proposed capital appropriations
for that year, shall be adopted by ordinance in accordance with Section
505 prior to the commencement of each year.
Council may amend the budget by ordinance during the fiscal
year for which the budget is adopted; provided, however, that such
amendment shall not result in expenditures exceeding the amount of
anticipated or available revenues determined as of the time of the
amendment.
Adoption of the budget and amendments, if any, shall constitute
appropriations and authorizations for the specified expenditures,
unless otherwise provided by Council at that time.
No payment of any funds of the Town shall be made unless it
is provided for in the budget and is approved by Council; provided,
however, that payments of payroll and utility charges and other continuing
legal obligations based on previously approved ordinances or contracts
may be made at the direction of the Manager.
Council shall provide for an annual audit of all Town revenues
and accounts by an independent Certified Public Accountant who has
no personal interest, direct or indirect, in the fiscal affairs of
the Town. Council may provide for more frequent audits and special
audits as it deems necessary. The results of the annual audit and
a certified financial statement of the fiscal affairs of the Town
shall be presented to Council and published in a newspaper of general
circulation in the Town by April 1st of the year following the fiscal
year audited.
Council shall require and provide adequate fidelity bonds, with
corporate sureties, covering employees and agents of the Town having
responsibility for the property or funds of the Town.
Council may authorize the borrowing of money, for any purpose
within the scope of the powers vested in the Town, including revolving
funds for municipal improvements, and for the issuance of bonds of
the Town or other evidences of indebtedness. Council may pledge the
full faith, credit and resources of the Town for the payment of the
obligations created thereby.
Authorized types of investment for the temporary investment
of Town funds shall be those investments authorized for Townships
of the First Class under the Pennsylvania First Class Township Code.
(Amended 11-8-83)
Concurrently with the adoption of the annual budget, Council
shall by ordinance set the tax rates and levy on the various subjects
of taxation. Subject to the applicable provisions of law, Council
shall determine the rates of all taxes; provided, however, that the
limit of real estate taxes for general purposes shall not exceed twenty
(20) mills per one hundred dollars ($100.00) of taxable assessed valuation
of real property situated in the Town.
