WEST LONG BRANCH — The Borough Council approved a $10.2 million budget for the 2012 fiscal year, following a public hearing at the April 18 meeting.
The $10,186,549 municipal budget represents a $286,225 increase over the 2011 budget of $9.9 million.
“This is an arduous project. Every year it gets more and more difficult with less money to work with,” Mayor Janet W. Tucci said, thanking those who worked on the spending plan.
“I compliment you on meeting with your committees and doing the best you could without losing services for our residents.”
The budget calls for $7,086,747 to be raised by taxpayers, a $337,695 increase over last year’s $6,749,052, and under the state-mandated 2 percent cap.
The municipal tax rate will increase 2.2 cents to 52 cents per $100 of assessed value.
For the owner of a home assessed at the borough average of $471,322, the increase would be $103.69 for the year, or about $8.64 per month more in municipal taxes, according to the mayor.
“I would like to thank my colleagues for the preparation they put into this budget with a minimal rise in taxes,” Tucci said.
During the introduction of the budget at the March 21 meeting, Tucci explained that the increase is a result of rising costs and slowly rising revenues.
Operational costs within each department saw little to no increase, but other increases could not be controlled, she said.
“Contractual obligations relating to court security, insurance, pension and debt service are the main sources of operational escalation,” she said in March.
The cost of health benefits increased $99,800 and pensions increased by $33,808.
State aid remained at $796,169, while court revenues increased.
The budget also anticipates additional revenue from a shared service agreement with Oceanport for police dispatch services.
The budget calls for use of $950,000 in surplus, a $59,887 increase from last year.
The capital budget calls for road improvements, curbs and sidewalks in areas of the borough.
Equipment for the police, public works, the volunteer fire department and first aid squad are also included in the capital budget but will be funded from prior years’ capital ordinances.
“By utilizing capital surplus, we have avoided incurring additional debt,” Tucci said in March.
Tax collection rates decreased to 97.72 percent from 98 percent, which she said was a result of successful tax appeals.