Allentown Borough Council introduces $1.54 million budget.
By: Mark Moffa
ALLENTOWN Residents will see a municipal tax increase of almost 7 percent this year if the borough’s budget is passed in its present form.
The Borough Council last month introduced the $1.54 million budget, which calls for a tax increase of 5 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, from 75 cents per $100 to 80 cents.
The owner of a house assessed at the borough average of $150,000, would pay $1,200 in municipal taxes, $75 more than last year.
Taxes are projected to increase even though the borough plans to spend less than it did last year.
Last year’s budget was $1.76 million. Chief Financial Officer Robert Benick said the borough saw more money in grants last year than it expects this year.
He said last year Allentown received a $177,000 community development grant and a $77,000 legislative grant both of which will not be received this year.
Savings were realized in some areas, such as the $31,000 to fund the Allentown/Upper Freehold Alliance to Prevent Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, which was picked up by Upper Freehold Township this year. But the costs for other services increased.
Councilman Art West said significant increases will be seen this year in the borough’s contribution to the Allentown First Aid Squad, the Hope Fire Company, and the borough Police Department.
"For the past 20 to 30 years, the first aid squad has been supported by Allentown, Upper Freehold, and Washington," Mr. West said.
But now, with Washington starting its own rescue squad service, Allentown and Upper Freehold residents will have to foot more of the bill.
Mr. West said the fire company needs more paid employees.
Currently, the company has only one paid firefighter, but this year’s budget contains money to hire more, although the precise number has yet to be determined.
"The daytime calls are getting awfully tough to cover," Mr. West said.
Most local residents do not work nearby, so volunteers are hard to find during business hours.
Mr. West also said the borough’s Police Department salaries have increased now that it is fully staffed and because it has managed to retain officers and now must increase their pay.
He said the council plans to discuss the budget at its April 9 meeting, and hopes to adopt the spending plan April 23. Meetings are 7 p.m. at the borough hall, 8 N. Main St.
Municipal taxes are just one part of the total tax bill, which includes school and Monmouth County taxes.
If the Upper Freehold Regional School District budget is approved by voters April 16, school taxes will go from $1.98 per $100 of assessed property value to $2.12, an increase of $210 for the owner of a $150,000 borough property.
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