OAKLAND TWP — The township supervisors approved a balanced budget for the 2025 fiscal year during their monthly meeting on Wednesday night, Dec. 4. In the general fund, both revenues and expenditures for the township are set at $1,894,581.40.

A preliminary version was adopted at the supervisors meeting Nov. 6.

On the “projected income” side of the budget, much of the revenue — $542,284.81 — is projected to come from carryover from the 2024 fiscal year. Another $500,000 comes from a Local Share Account grant which the township received to help build its new municipal building on North Butler Church Road.

“After doing a budget and figuring some things out, we’ve actually been putting some money aside, and we got a grant through the state for $500,000,” said township supervisor Brian Hans.

Another $390,000 in income is projected to come from Earned Income Tax revenue, with $127,000 expected in real estate taxes.

On the “projected expenses” side, building maintenance is expected to swallow nearly half of the township’s budget, to the tune of $825,000. Another $380,170 is earmarked for road and bridge maintenance, while $83,000 is set aside for wages for the road crew.

One item that appeared in this year’s budget that wasn’t in last year’s budget is “contracted police services,” as Oakland Township recently entered a trial partnership with the Saxonburg Police Department which is set to run from Oct. 31 through Feb. 6. The “contracted police services” line item takes up $25,000 on the 2025 Oakland Township budget.

Before the trial period expires, the township will have a meeting with residents on Wednesday, Feb. 5 to get their thoughts on the partnership.

“We did promise all the residents that we would have an open meeting before we made any decisions,” Hans said.