As Whitehall Township enters the second half of 2013, its financial state continues to look promising.

The township's second quarter expenditures have not exceeded budgeted figures. In many cases, expenditures are lower than projected and revenue is higher than anticipated.

In recent years, an air of gloom was apparent among some township officials. However, that mood has been replaced with a more positive outlook as revenue in various categories has rebounded.

A report by the administration for the second quarter and submitted to township commissioners, notes $5,769,955 in property taxes has been paid, compared to $5,576,984 for the same period in 2012 for an increase of $192,971 or 3.46 percent.

The second major source of revenue, earned income taxes, shows $2,963,289 received, a difference of $866,176 from the same period last year when $2,077,113 was collected. The change represents an increase of 42.66 percent.

Business privilege taxes are up $92,842 from 2012, representing a 7.71-percent increase.

Local services tax receipts provide another indication of an improving economy. The $315,324 collected thus far is $83,021 or 35.74 percent higher than in 2012.

The $57,302 in fines received is down 38.48 percent from last year when second quarter figures showed fines produced $93,146 in revenue.

Garbage collection fees generated $2,121,730, up 1.22 percent over last year's second-quarter figures.

On the expenditure side, second-quarter figures show legislative spending is down $26,126, or 42.91 percent. The figure compares to $45,764 last year in the same period.

Administrative spending has reached $370,229, down 5.79 percent; police is at $2,217,563, which represents a 4.41-percent increase; fire spending is down $76,593 or 19.69-percent; public works spending is down .91 percent, having reached $2,681,817; and recreation spending stands at $367,286, which is a decrease of 24.11 percent.