Residents may expect to dole out another $292 if the Borough Council approves its $14.6 million budget for next year.
The Council introduced the tentative budget last week, which forecasts a 9.44 percent increase from last year’s tax levy.
About $10.7 million will be raised through property taxes, compared to last year’s $9.8 million tax levy. The tax levy contributes to a majority of the total municipal budget.
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APPROPRIATIONS:
$2.9 million for police salaries and wages
$1.5 million for public works salaries and wages
$668,664 for police, firefighter and public employee retirement
$122,00 for public works buildings and grounds
$210,000 for legal services
$190,000 for municipal clerk
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Last year’s municipal budget stood at $13
Mayor Benedict Romeo blamed the overall 7.96 percent increase in the municipal budget as a result of state mandates forced onto cash-strapped municipalities. With last year’s budget standing at $13.5 million, the difference equals $1,082,320.
"They’re so tight in the state that we’re paying for it," said the mayor. "That’s what we got hit on."
Aside from losing $133,260 in state aid, the borough of 7,500 people must account for nearly $700,000 in pension funds for retired police, firefighters and public employees. Under-funding and bloated salaries drove shortfalls in the state pension fund, prompting municipalities to bear the cost.
Chief Financial Officer Harold Laufeld, also the tax collector, said that appropriations to the library rose by $96,000. The introduced budget calls for spending $842,828 to the library, up from $746,713 spent last year.
Jumps in employee salaries and wages, building maintenance and legal services also triggered increases in the tentative budget.
Local officials said they don’t plan to hire new employees or replace the three police officers who recently retired.
Laufeld confirmed that benefits to residents would be minimal, saying it would be "nothing out of the ordinary."
Romeo said that he promised to "do whatever we can" – pointing out that there may be further cuts made to reduce the budget. A meeting with department heads is already in the works, the mayor said.
There will be several improvements on the horizon, said Romeo, which include the paving of the last two dirt roads in town and the renovation of the high school tennis courts.
A budget hearing will be held Wednesday, May 7 at 7:30 p.m.
E-mail: gonzalezso@northjersey.com or call 201-894-6711
