key components of
reducing tax burden
Cuts and state aid
key components of
reducing tax burden
MILLTOWN — Residents will not see an increase in their municipal taxes for 2003.
"We’re going to be able to hold the line," Councilman Kevin Bosworth said at a recent meeting.
The council adopted an amended budget during a special meeting Aug. 4. The budget — initially proposed in the spring with a 12-cent tax rate increase — was amended to include $300,000 in discretionary state aid and also to show expense trimmings made by the governing body. The tax rate will stay at 69 cents per $100 of assessed valuation on the municipal end.
"This is the second year in a row we came in at [a] zero percent [tax increase]," Borough Clerk Michael Januszka said last week.
Mayor Gloria Bradford was uncertain in July whether the governing body would be able to eliminate an increase entirely, but said it would "go back and continue to look for ways we can decrease the taxes."
At the council meeting, Bradford publicly thanked borough officials for all their efforts.
"Every one of the department heads tightened their belts and did everything they could [to keep the tax rate stable]," she said.
Bradford said she has always tried to keep to her policy of eliminating budget expenditures for projects that are very far in the future and therefore may not be enjoyed by the people who pay for them.
"We cut the surpluses down where we can meet our needs but won’t be paying for things that won’t be used for years to come," Bradford said.