Pottstown Budget Requires Cuts

Pottstown's $39 million budget will likely include the elimination of some staff positions.

The budget will be presented to on Nov. 9, the municipality's manager Jason Bobst said on Tuesday.

An informal meeting will also be held for the public to ask questions about the budget, he said. 

Pottstown Borough Council is expected to vote on the budget in December.

The proposed budget includes a large general fund deficit due to lower assessed property values in the borough, he said.

Pottstown's property values dropped from $818 million to $816 million, he said.

"It put us (roughly) $1.3 million short in revenue," he said. 

Bobst said the borough plans to trim expenses wherever possible.

"I think we're going to take a look at every vacant position," he said.

To save money, the borough may chose to cut four open full-time jobs in the , finance, water, parks and recreation departments, he said. If that decision is reached, existing borough staff would absorb the work formerly required by the positions, Bobst said. The elimination of the four posts could mean a savings of roughly $250,000 for the borough, he said. 

The borough will also consider whether to use more third party services -- such as engineering and construction firms -- to reduce expenses, he said.

Although Pottstown's revenue is declining, the borough does not want to raise taxes or increase fees, he said.

"We're looking more at cutting (expenses)," he said.

In other borough news:

• Pottstown Borough Council recently adopted the following P.R.I.D.E. core values:

P - Plan - We will accept that change is inevitable, and PLAN accordingly for the future.

R – Responsible - We will manage our financial and human resources in a RESPONSIBLE manner.

I – Interests - We will consider the INTERESTS of the entire community in decision making

D – Deliver - We will strive to DELIVER superior services to the tax and rate payers.

E – Equity - We will treat everyone and every situation with EQUITY and fairness.

• Pottstown's Trick or Treat Night will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31.