The Upper Perk Police Commission is finding itself in a position familiar to many Americans as its expenses are increasing and revenue is decreasing, officials said Monday.

On Monday night, Greg Ede of Styer Associates, auditor for the Upper Perk Police Commission, reported that an audit of the police commission financial statement is “clean with no material misstatements.”  

The police commission’s finances are essentially straightforward, but money is tight, officials elaborated.

        Ede warned that the police commission operating budget and its cash flow are slowly but surely being depleted. He noted in the beginning of 2012 there was $102,803 in cash but by the end of 2012 there was $38,553 left in operating cash.

        The auditor explained to the police commission that its revenues and expenses showed a net position of $106,690 at the beginning of 2012.  However, at the end of the year the police commission had a net position of $23,697.  

        The police commission operating revenues, that is the cash it has for unanticipated expenses, decreased by $27,218.  However, its expenses in 2012 increased by $24,038. The operating revenues decreased due to lower allocations from Pennsburg and East Greenville.  Operating expenses increased due to higher salaries and increased police service expenses.  

Ede noted despite higher expenses and less cash on hand there is a slight positive bottom line.

        The police commission is suffering from what is occurring in other municipalities.  Ede recommended a “balanced approach” that included cutting expenses to increase the operating cash flow.

        Ryan Sloyer, East Greenville representative to the commission, said, “We need to start to build our savings account back up.  Three years ago we had a cushion.  Now, we do not have much to pull from.  We need to look at our future budgets.”

        Doug Landis, commission chairman, suggested the group consider where it could generate future revenue so that “our people are safe and they get the protection they need.”  Landis observed, “This costs money and we need good ideas to make it happen.”  
        In other business, there were 51 crimes during the month of May which is an increase of two from the previous month.  Pennsburg had 32 crimes and East Greenville had 19.  There were 9 thefts, 14 assaults, 10 criminal mischief, 5 sex offenses, 4 DUIs, 3 drug violations, and 2 propulsions of missiles from a moving vehicle.