STOCKTON: Budget proposal needs tax-rate increase

By John Tredrea, Special Writer
   STOCKTON — A proposed 2012 municipal budget of $602,917 was introduced by Borough Council June 11, borough Clerk Michele Hovan said Monday.
   If adopted, the budget would bring a municipal tax rate of 35.2 cents, up from 33.4 cents last year.
   Ms. Hovan said a Stockton residence assessed at $450,000 would pay $81 more this year than last year in municipal taxes if the spending plan is adopted.
   She added that, as is the pattern in towns throughout this part of the country, municipal revenues are down due to declining property values. “State aid to municipalities is flat, too,” she added.
   ”We made some cuts in this year’s budget, especially in capital improvements,” Ms. Hovan said. “We economized as much as possible across the board. We did use $40,000 in surplus to cover some of the appropriations in this year’s budget. Using that meant we could keep the tax increase lower than it would have been otherwise.”
   Ms. Hovan said there would be no significant change in borough services if the budget is adopted in its current form.
   The proposed spending plan is scheduled for a public hearing and adoption vote at the council’s July 9 meeting.
   Under state law, a public hearing must precede an adoption vote on any municipal budget. Questions about the budget may be asked during that hearing, and comments about the budget may be made as well.
   Liquor license renewals for Phillips Fine Wines were approved at the June 11 meeting, Ms. Hovan said.