ADAMS TWP — Supervisors recently gave final approval to next year's budget, keeping tax rates steady and allocating funds to improve the township park.

The $7.817 million budget, approved at a special meeting Friday, features no tax increase and includes a surplus.

The township expects to bring in $6.717 million in revenue and an additional $1.536 million in assets, bringing total available funds projected for 2019 to $8.253 million.

Township Manager Gary Peaco explained that the surplus is in anticipation of any increase in the estimated costs for the park project to add an entrance road from Hutchman Road to the park.

“No tax increase, but we are using savings for park improvements, including a new park access from Hutchman Road to the park,” Peaco said in an email. “Since there are a lot of assumptions and an estimate of what the new park road will cost we are showing a surplus,”

Haley Geyer, parks and recreation director, said the new entrance would allow residents easier access to areas of the park that are less commonly used and open those areas up for improvements and new amenities in the future.

A survey of township residents, businesses and area organizations showed that residents overwhelmingly approved of upgrading the park's amenities, with many respondents hoping to see more trails and even a pool.

While next year's budget only finances the new entrance, the parks department is working to formulate its “master plan” to guide the next 10 years of upgrades and additions.

Geyer said this plan will help the township decide what to add to the park and which areas to prioritize. It will also help the department apply for grant money to fund these projects.

Full results of the survey can be seen on the township's website at adamstwp.org.

The budget represents a small decrease in spending from last year, Peaco said, as the township had budgeted for several additional projects last year.

“The township finances are very good. Fairly stable income with expenses,” Peaco said.

Peaco said officials are pleased with the current state of the finances and hope to continue holding tax rates steady for years to come.

Supervisor Russ Ford said the budget, Peaco's first as township manager, was “the best budget in my time here.”