By Evamarie Socha
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LEWISBURG — What was billed as a cost-saving regional police force will cost 8 percent more than what was expected had the departments remained separate.
Without the merger of the Lewisburg and East Buffalo Township departments, the respective municipalities would have faced an estimated $2.3 million in combined costs in 2014, according to previous reports.
The 2013 budget for the Buffalo Valley Regional Police Department is $2,483,900, about 9 percent more than its 2012 spending plan of $2,265,570.
East Buffalo Township supervisors approved the budget and their municipal contribution at their meeting Monday night. The township will pay $1,073,995, or 52 percent, of the force’s budget.
Lewisburg’s share is $991,380 or 48 percent of the spending plan.
The municipalities will contribute $2,065,375.
The remaining $418,525 will come from other sources, such as grants, enforcement fines and tickets, said Police Commission member Thomas Zorn, who is also an East Buffalo Township supervisor.
