Budget increases $2.3M,
but tax rate stays stable
By karl vilacoba
Staff Writer
MARLBORO — In a year when increases in local elementary school taxes and regional high school district taxes are imminent, the Township Council has announced that the 2002 municipal budget will hold the municipal tax rate at its 2001 level.
During a March 26 meeting at which the budget was introduced, Mayor Matthew Scannapieco praised council members for working in a cooperative spirit to keep the tax rate stable. He also thanked Business Administrator Chris-topher Marion for good work on what was the administrator’s first budget.
"To sum it up, we have a budget which I think our community needs," Scanna-pieco said. "We believe that stability in our taxes is critical for the future."
Marion said it was especially important to hold the tax rate steady in light of the down economy and looming school tax increases. He credited teamwork among Chief Financial Officer Judith Tiernan, Scannapieco and himself for avoiding a raise.
The 2002 budget proposal calls for $24.5 million in expenditures. Employee salaries, benefits and payroll taxes make up approximately 70 percent of this figure, according to information provided by township officials.
If the council adopts the budget in its current form, it will cost taxpayers 41.9 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, the same rate as in 2001. Thus, the owner of property assessed at $200,000 would continue to pay $838 in municipal taxes. The owner of property assessed at $300,000 would continue to pay $1,257 in municipal taxes.
Municipal taxes are one portion of a property owner’s overall tax bill. The bill also includes Marlboro school taxes, Freehold Regional High School District taxes, Monmouth County taxes and several other assessments.
The budget could change before it is adopted, according to Marion. The council plans to further discuss the budget in a workshop meeting on April 9.
Also listed as expenditures are several operating expenses. Included are ongoing public safety initiatives such as the Emergency Response Unit and funding for various committees, such as the Advisory Committee on Education (ACE). Other expenditures include capital improvement programs such as road, drainage and infrastructure projects.
Revenues calculated to support the 2002 budget include $11.6 million in local taxes, $4.2 million in miscellaneous revenue, $3 million in state aid and $671,229 in grants. Rounding out the revenues is the application of $5 million from Marlboro’s surplus account, municipal officials said.
The total general appropriation of $24.5 million rose from $22.2 million in 2001. The difference of $2.3 million includes contractual salary increases and debt service increases, according to information provided by the township.
In other municipal news, the Marlboro Police Department promoted Patrolman Christopher Cherbini to the rank of sergeant. A township resident, Cherbini joined the force in August 1994.
Cherbini joined the Police Explorers program in 1989 and served until 1993. He has been a member of the Morganville First Aid Squad since 1988 and is also the assistant chief of the Robertsville Fire Company.