JACKSON TWP — Leaders aim to fund further public works and recreation projects with momentum they have built up from a budget surplus, said township manager Chris Rearick.

“Over the past several years we’ve run a surplus, so we’ve elected to complete certain capital improvement projects by dipping into that surplus,” said Rearick. “But overall our budget still allows us to end up with a substantial surplus.”

The township projects $5,076,585 in expenditures this coming year, up from $4,222,430 in expenditures the previous year.

Total revenue in the proposed budget, which the township administration prepared, will amount to $4,319,145. That revenue includes no tax increase.

This new budget projects a withdrawal of $757,439 from an existing surplus of $1,521,211.

The township should retain an operational surplus of $763,772.13 at the end of 2023, according to the 2023 projected budget.

“We’re simply spending money that’s been building up or accruing on our general fund on planned projects,” Rearick said. “So the purpose to do that is to complete projects that are currently under contract. And to do it in a manner that saves us money by completing the project now rather than later.”

Projects at the center of 2023 budget plans include the Northgate Light Project, which will install a traffic light near Northgate Plaza, and Sippel Reservoir Park, a hidden find tucked away just behind Northgate Plaza.

The park consists of a vast field with soccer goals and a playground, and it served this past year as an event space for the township’s cherished touch-a-truck event, during which children and families can explore their favorite big trucks.

Leaders also plan to expand sealcoating to roads within the township, such as Tara and Whitney drives.

“The intent of sealcoating is to extend the life of those particular roads by several years,” Rearick said. “We have a relatively modest paving program for the city.”

Sealcoating involves applying coating to asphalt-based roads. Proponents say this better protects surfaces from water, oil or sunlight, although debate surrounds effectiveness of the practice and a lack of independent research supporting it.

Rearick said growth within the community does much to balance the budget through new revenue, without the added onus of a tax increase.

“When you look at the hard numbers in the budget, we’re assuming additional revenue through real estate tax, but we’re assuming that from growth within the township,” Rearick said.

“We’re assuming greater collections, but those collections are not from a tax increase, though, but from growth within the township,” he said.