MCADOO - KBM Regional Authority passed a tentative 2012 budget at Wednesday's meeting.
The budget lists $406,746 in estimated income and projects a $53,682 deficit. Authorities, unlike municipalities, are not obligated to have a balanced budget.
Board members explained after the meeting that the deficit is due to some unexpected expenses in 2011, including sludge removal from the treatment plant at a cost of $69,239.
The sludge build-up was due to the cleaning of the reed beds, which now will be used on an alternate basis to avoid having to haul away sludge for treatment at the Greater Hazleton Joint Sewer Authority's plant in West Hazleton.
Final adoption of the budget is scheduled for 7 p.m. Jan. 18., the board's first meeting in of the year following the reorganization.
In other business, the authority granted permission to solicitor Joseph Baranko to resume negotiations with Kline Township Authority regarding how much the three municipalities - Kline and Banks townships and McAdoo - are responsible for paying to have sewage treated at the KBM plant.
Figures will be released once a settlement is reached.
According to some board members, a previous "conceptual resolution" reached by the parties apparently will be changed. They said McAdoo's credit of $216,529 might be lower, Kline Township's obligation of $13,088 could be higher and Banks Township might be asked to pay less than the previously mentioned $49,500.
The vote to resume negotiations was 4-1-1, with Bill Nice Jr., John Perhonitch, Charlie Schalles and Steve Sheer voting "yes."
Arlene Burgess, who represents Kline Township, voted "no," and said she doesn't think Kline Township should pay more based on flow figures from June 2004 to June 2005. However, she said if an agreement is reached she probably would vote in favor of it.
Joe Stempko abstained.
"I don't like the numbers," said Stempko, who represents McAdoo on the authority board.
Board member Ron Simasek was absent from the meeting.