Report: L. Saucon's Second Largest Revenue Source is Landfill

Can  be considered a Lower Saucon Township "cash cow?"

In light of recently released numbers that are part of a "Landfill Funds Report" prepared by township officials, the answer to that question would seem to be "yes."

According to the report, which is posted in the Township News section of the Lower Saucon Township website, revenue from the Applebutter Road facility-- including host fees--represented the township's second largest source of income in 2011.

The total revenue from the landfill last year was $2,034,150.79, which was just $5,000 less than the total revenue from earned income tax ($2,039,462.27).

Other significant revenue sources for the township include real estate transfer taxes, deed transfer taxes, and fines.

In its landfill fund, which helps to offset the township's debt obligations, general and capital fund expenditures, and consultant fees, the township had a beginning balance of $547,769.99 at the start of 2012.

To help offset the eventual impact of the landfill's closure, the township also maintains a landfill closure fund, which currently holds a little over $300,000 according to the report.

Just $150,000 from the landfill fund was deposited in the landfill closure fund between 2001 and 2012, page 3 of the report indicates.

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That rezoning--if approved by township officials--would help pave the way for which would extend the landfill's income-generating lifespan by a number of years.

and should be considered against an expansion of the facility and a continuation of the revenue stream that it supports.

However, , IESI called its Lower Saucon facility "a good neighbor" and noted the undeniable financial benefit to the township as a landfill-host community.

"The host fees that we pay the township on every ton of refuse that gets disposed of at our (Lower Saucon) facility offset approximately 30 percent of the township's operating expenses annually," the company said in the mailer. "This significantly reduces the tax burden on ALL Lower Saucon Township residents."

at their Thursday, Aug. 23 meeting, which will be held in the cafeteria at 7pm.