Township staff have compiled an additional list of 18 questions and answers about the 2011 proposed budget. The information can be found on the township website, here.

New estimates including in the list say that the Lower Merion Board of Commissioners' decision to reduce the general fund balance to 16 percent of expenditures will reduce the proposed tax rate increase to at least 10.9 percent – down from the original proposal of 12.7 percent.

The commissioners also explored a variety of other ways to reduce spending, meaning the tax increase could potentially be lowered further before the final 2011 budget is voted on at the Dec. 15 board meeting.

The new information also answers several questions about township longevity bonuses, which were capped at 20 years by the commissioners at the second public hearing on the budget.

Police officers begin receiving longevity bonuses after three years of service, and other full-time employees begin receiving their bonuses after five years. The bonus is paid out as either a percentage of pay or a flat dollar amount, depending on the type of employee, and the bonuses are paid based on reaching an additional year of service to the township, according to answers provided by township staff.

Other questions ask about specific ways the township might be able to reduce costs, such as reducing postage costs, combining newsletters and reducing library hours.

"Some of the additional information addresses specific questions raised at the recent Public Hearings on the 2011 Proposed Budget, as well as questions from reporters and members of the Board of Commissioners," said Doug Cleland, Township Manager, in a press release. "We hope that our residents will find this information to be helpful, and we will continue to add additional questions and answers as they are received."

Click here to see the full list of 18 questions and answers. The list is in addition to 54 questions and answers previously made available by the township, found here.