Bucks releases preliminary 2019 operating budget

The budget of $442 million is a 4.3 percent increase over 2018

The Times

Bucks County recently released its preliminary 2019 operating budget of $442 million, a 4.3 percent increase over 2018.

The proposed budget projects a deficit of roughly $15.5 million at the current tax millage rate. No decision has been made on whether a tax increase will be considered to balance the budget.

“Each year, it seems, new regulations and burdensome paperwork from the state, the normal cost-of-living increases and the growing needs of the community — ranging from overcrowding in our prisons to the opioid crisis — make these budgets more difficult,” County Commissioners Chairman Robert G. Loughery said. “Again, though, we will find ways to balance these needs with the taxpayers’ interests to complete this budget before year’s end.”

Chief Operating Officer Brian Hessenthaler and Director of Finance and Administration David Boscola described the budget as a work in progress, with the potential for further spending cuts in expenditures as well as dipping into the county’s general fund balance.

The projected deficit already has been reduced to less than half of the initial $35 million shortfall that existed after initial budget requests came in from county departments.

Hessenthaler and Boscola said that the county commissioners, county administrators, court officials and row officers would continue scrutinizing revenue and expenditures in hopes of further closing the gap.

“In the best interests of our residents and taxpayers, we are constantly challenging our people to continue to provide quality services in the most efficient manner possible,” Hessenthaler said. “The challenge becomes more difficult each year, but I am confident we will be able to achieve our goal at the end of the day. We will continue working on a budget to reflect the most efficient and responsible use of our taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars.”

Bucks County is projected to carry a general fund balance of $35.6 million into 2019. The county continues to hold a AAA bond rating from Moody’s Investors Service and Standard & Poor’s. This rating benefits taxpayers through lower borrowing costs on current and future bond issues.

As in previous years’ budgets, the county’s Health Division and Housing and Human Services Division account for the largest portion of the proposed 2019 budget — 48.5 percent. Departments dedicated to providing public safety account for 27.5 percent of the total.

Among the factors driving the preliminary 2019 deficit are increased pay and benefits for employees, the addition of 14 positions in 2018 and rising costs for debt service, Boscola said. Revenue losses in the Emergency Communications and Health Departments are also contributing to the shortfall.

Over the next several weeks, the county commissioners will analyze the proposed 2019 budget.

The 2019 budget is scheduled for final consideration and adoption on Dec. 19.

To view the 2019 preliminary operating budget, visit BucksCounty.org and click on the budget link on the home page. ••