HILLSBOROUGH: Township spending to drop to 2007 level

By Gene Robbins, Managing Editor
   Spending for local government will be reduced to 2007 levels, but even that won’t avert a small rise in property taxes.
   On Tuesday night, the Township Committee introduced a $26.5 million budget that would spend 5.76 percent less — or more than $1.6 million — than 2011. It goes right up, but stays under, the maximum two-percent tax increase allowed by the state.
   ”Once again we have taken the hard line in reducing spending and protecting our Hillsborough taxpayers, said Mayor Carl Suraci.
   If passed, the budget would mean an increase of $26 for the “average” home, assessed at $370,000. That bill would go to $1,114 from 2011’s 1,1118.
   Township Finance Officer Nancy Haberle said the township is feeling the effects of $1.4 million less state aid since 2007. Non-tax revenues — like code fees, court fines and interest — is also down.
   The township proposes to have one fewer employee in 2012, reducing the township work force to 149 from the 162 in 2008.
   The budget benefits by the negotiated increase requiring employees to pay for a portion of their health care premiums, as well as less interest by paying down debt.
   Among many items, the township benefited by the lack of snow this winter, saving $109,000, as well as projected savings from a merger of municipal court services with Montgomery Township.
   A public hearing will be held at the meeting Tuesday, April 24, at 7:30 p.m.