By Ruth Luse, Managing Editor
LAMBERTVILLE — On Wednesday (April 27), between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m., the city’s registered voters will decide how they want to pay for garbage collection.
The city has placed a question (Municipal Levy Cap Referendum) on the ballot on the same day as the local school board/school budget election.
The question is: “Shall the Mayor and Council of the City of Lambertville be authorized to increase its adjusted tax levy by $430,000 more than the allowable adjusted tax levy, which is 23.58% more than the allowable adjusted tax levy as provided” by law, “and shall it be authorized to increase to adopt the 2011 Municipal Purposes Budget in excess of the increase limitation by $430,000 as provided” by law.
Why the question?
The question is explained on ballots as follows: “ In 2010 the City of Lambertville charged most property owners a fee of $200 per unit based on property tax records for each property. This was a service fee for garbage and recycling collection and was not included in property taxes.
”The city billed and anticipated $430,000 in the 2010 budget for this purpose. Throughout 2010, city officials discussed garbage and recycling program options with residents who expressed interest in having this fee put back into the municipal property tax levy and eliminating the service fee. This question asks if the municipal tax levy should be increased by $430,000 if the separate fee is eliminated.
”A yes vote will increase the municipal tax levy by $430,000 and eliminate the existing $200 service fee per unit for garbage and recycling collection.
”A no vote will continue the $200 service fee per unit for garbage and recycling collection.”
A vote to include the collection fee in the property tax would allow the city to the new 2 percent cap.
Staff Writer Linda Seida contributed to this account.

