Franklin Township supervisors had a special workshop meeting Saturday to propose the 2022 budget, which includes a fire protection fund new to the township.

Township supervisors voted 2-1 in favor of the budget proposal. Supervisor Chairman Herman Bauer Jr. was the dissenting vote.

The fire protection fund was added in anticipation of a proposed two-mill tax that would support the Prospect Volunteer Fire Department, which provides fire protection coverage for the township.

The Prospect VFD had been advocating for a fire tax in the township for a few months, and Prospect Borough Council approved a similar tax earlier this year.

Jessica Parker, treasurer for the Prospect VFD, said Tuesday that if the taxes take effect on Jan. 1, the department will likely receive about $70,000 total from both municipalities, which would provide a financial base the department hopes to use eventually for a new facility.

“It's a big weight lifted off my shoulders and the department,” Parker said. “It is a major starting point for us on the new building.”

As part of the fire protection fund, the township supervisors asked the Prospect VFD to provide regular reports on where the money is and how it is being spent. Parker said this is no issue for the department.

“They want a budget list, reports and what we are going to be spending it on,” she said. “It will mostly be going into savings, but we can use it for emergencies, and we will be having a budget meeting to decide how to use it.”

Parker said she expects the money to begin flowing to the department around April, and the department will soon begin talks on how to budget the intake. She also said the department plans to work with Butler County officials to obtain grants to supplement the income from the fire tax.

Overall, Parker said it was the community's positive feedback that helped get the fire protection fund passed in Franklin Township. She said she and other members of the department hope to continue a good working relationship with the people they are protecting.

“We are so grateful, and we are so thankful for the community support,” Parker said. “I can't wait for April to come; it's going to be really exciting.”