BUTLER TWP — Department heads presented their financial needs for 2024 at a budget workshop Thursday, Nov. 9, adding up to a total of about $11 million — about $1.7 million more than the 2023 budget.

The highest budget requests came from the public works department, at a little over $321,300, and township police, at a little over $257,500.

Dave Meeder, director of public works, said the department will need a new dump truck, which costs an estimated $110,900, thousands of dollars more than the truck the department got last year.

“Substantial price increase in all that stuff,” Meeder said. “Just a reference, the truck that we got last year was $85,000; that’s how much those are going up.”

Police Chief John Hays said costs have risen for police equipment, as well, including for ammunition and vehicles. He also said the department is looking at upgrading computers and cellphones this year, which bring some additional costs to the police budget.

“We have to replace five desktop computers; we had five last year, one this year,” Hays said. “Everybody will have a newer computer. Also covers the cost for the license plate readers and cameras, and also the annual subscription fee. Our computer maintenance I put in at $3,000.”

Commissioner chairman Dave Zarnick said it remains to be seen whether the township will have to raise taxes to accommodate the increased costs for some of the department needs. The township has not had a tax increase since 2011, when the rate was set at 11.25 mills.

The township commissioners will vote on a preliminary budget this month, with a final vote expected in December.