SOUTH BRUNSWICK: Town budget introduced

By Charles W. Kim, Managing Editor
   Township Council members introduced the municipal budget Tuesday night by a vote of 4-0 with Councilman Joe Camarota abstaining.
   Members have been working on the proposed plan for several weeks and have whittled away at the initial administration proposal of $47.3 million with a 5.5 cent per $100 of assessed valuation increase that would have amounted to a $104 increase for the owner of a $190,000 home.
   The council has been able to bring down the proposed increase to 3 cents or an increase of $57 for the owner of a $190,000 home.
   Mayor Frank Gambatese said he wants residents to know the municipal portion of their respective tax bills only amounts to about 16 percent of the money they pay in property taxes.
   ”It is important for us to get this out there,” Mr. Gambatese said.
   There will not be a special budget meeting next week, but another is scheduled for March 27 at 6 p.m. in the main meeting room of the municipal building.
   During the initial presentation of the budget Feb. 7, Financial Officer Joe Monzo said a loss in township value of around 2.4 percent, or $935,000 in tax revenue, as well as expenses from extreme weather last year caused the municipality to start the process needing a 3.66 cent per $100 of assessed valuation increase.
   Meetings since that time have been able to drop the proposed increase, according to officials.
   With the school district announcing its budget Monday with a 4.9 cent per $100 of assessed valuation increase, both entities would have a combined increase of about 8 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.
   If both budgets pass as they are, it would mean a tax increase of $152 for the owner of a $190,000 home.