5 Things to Know About the Municipal Budget

Thursday, at the township council meeting, the council is expected to introduce some budget amendments, taking into account the fact that the tax rate increase is now set at 1.9 percent. So in preparation for that, we present five things to know about the municipal budget as it stands right now.

And let us know in the comments what kinds of cuts you would like to see to the budget.

• Tax Rate—After much deliberation among council members, they decided to , by a 3-2 vote. Those in favor of the change said residents really cannot afford anything higher.
• Cuts—Now that the change in the tax rate increase has been enacted, the township needs to make cuts to make it work. Among the cuts discussed [but not approved] have been 10 percent from the rescue squad budgets; after-hours health inspections; one recreation program; one-third of the police overtime budget, which includes officers for required court appearances; and more.
• Budget Increase—The budget has increased from 2011 to 2012. The budget is currently set at $38,451,229.13, a 4.5 percent increase over the 2011 budget set at about $36.8 million.
• Emergency Appropriations—Aside from the normal payments in the budget, the 2012 budget also has to include additional costs from damage and other needs after Hurricane Irene and the October snowstorm, as well as extra litigation.
• $20 Extra—With the change in the tax rate, residents are looking at about $20 additional in their taxes, versus the $65 that was originally proposed.