Officials say increase could be on the horizon.
By: Cynthia Koons
WASHINGTON The Township Committee presented its proposed 2003 municipal budget to the public last week, relieving residents of a tax increase this year, but warning them of hikes in the future.
Township Chief Financial Officer Karen Baldino on April 24 presented the proposed $8.95 million municipal budget a 6.4 percent increase over last year’s $8.4 spending plan.
The budget calls for a tax rate of 40 cents per $100 of assessed property value, meaning a homeowner with a house assessed at the township average of $175,000 will continue to pay $700 in municipal taxes.
She said the township government could compensate for the budget increase because Washington accrued an additional $300,000 in revenue from new housing this year.
The Township Committee also is actively pursuing commercial business development to bring in ratables that would offset some of the township’s tax burden.
"Even though we do have a lot of debt, we are working hard and the town is bringing in ratables," she said.
But revenues from the commercial district did not increase dramatically this year and the Township Committee will be using some of its surplus in order to pay the municipal bills.
Committeeman Dave Fried expressed concern last month that the committee was drawing too much from its surplus to finance its spending practices as it attempted to keep the tax rate flat for residents.
This year’s proposed budget taps $1.9 million from the township’s surplus account. The entire surplus is more than $3 million.
Mr. Fried has warned the committee in the past to be careful of spending the surplus. Because it is related to new development and the township is nearly built out, he said that money would not always be available.
"It’s a very tough time for the town," he said. "We’d like to keep the tax rate stable because the school and county tax rates are going up.
"The tax increase is coming someday," he said. "I can’t tell you when it will be but it will be someday."
Residents at the meeting requested the Township Committee cut the $24.1 million school budget, which voters defeated on April 15 and is now subject to committee review. The committee has until May 19 to work up a revised budget with the school board.
"Your comments about the consumption of the surplus I agree 110 percent," said resident David Boyne. He mentioned the failing school budget as one indicator that the residents are unhappy with Washington’s tax rates.
"I don’t think the residents of this town are against education they’re against taxes," he said.
The committee could not answer the residents’ question regarding when they could expect to see a municipal tax increase but Mayor Doug Tindall said the committee would return to the drawing board if the budget is voted down. An adoption vote on the municipal budget had not been scheduled as of Tuesday.

