You can't handle the truth!

My record is expensive for Alpha!? Oh, really?
After 8 years as Mayor and 2 years as a Councilman, Alpha has over a million dollars in surplus and we have a better bond rating because of our low debt, yet Craig Dunwell asked, "Isn't it time for a change?"

From The Express-Times:

Alpha officials search for $150,000 to cut from budget

By SARAH M. WOJCIK
The Express-Times

Sunday, February 28, 2010

ALPHA | Borough officials want to cut about $150,000 from the proposed municipal budget to minimize the use of surplus money in balancing this year's $2.7 million spending plan.

To keep the municipal tax increase below 3 cents per $100 of assessment, the borough planned on borrowing $400,000 of the $1 million surplus fund, according to borough Chief Financial Officer Lorraine Rossetti.

Seeking to preserve some of the surplus for future years, Rossetti asked council to find between $100,000 and $150,000 to eliminate from the budget.

"We want to use a healthy amount that we could still rebuild over a year or so," Rossetti said.

Council acknowledges the search for that money in the already lean budget won't be easy.

"I think we need to go through with a fine-toothed comb," Councilman Michael Savary said. "I'd like to know where the money is being spent (for each item) and if it's justified."

Rossetti said money is budgeted for undetermined capital projects that could be axed to make room for more urgent needs in the borough.

"This isn't the year to fund a project that doesn't have a name yet," Rossetti said.

Councilwoman Klara Tarsi said even if the council must take small amounts from several different places, she's determined to hunt down at least $100,000.

"We're going to look everywhere humanly possible, even if it's little by little we cut," Tarsi said.

Councilman Harry Zikas Jr. mirrored that sentiment.

"From my standpoint, no line item is safe," he said.

While the borough's five full-time employees' salaries have already been settled in contracts, Zikas said part-time workers' pay will be determined in the budget.

"We try to be as fair as possible, but that's something we could play around with," Zikas said.

Rossetti said the borough's finances appear in good shape. The borough's low debt, for instance, has scored Alpha a better bond rating, she said.

The borough has $898,000 in debt, well below the state's cap of $7 million for a municipality Alpha's size, according to Rossetti.

Reporter Sarah M. Wojcik can be reached at 610-258-7171, ext. 3631, or swojcik@express-times.com.