EAST WINDSOR: Town works on 2013 budget

Officials seek to keep budget flat despite state-required increases

BY David Kilby, Special Writer
   EAST WINDSOR — As the municipal government prepares its budget for 2013, some state-required increases add up to approximately $560,000.
   Last year, the township’s general operating budget was approximately $20 million, and Mayor Janice Mironov said at the first budget workshop for 2013 on Feb. 26 that the township expects that budget number to remain relatively flat this year.
   For 2012, the municipal tax rate was 41.6 cents per $100 of assessed value. A homeowner with a residential property assessed at the township average of $264,000 paid $1,098.24 in municipal taxes.
   Mayor Mironov reiterated at the second 2013 budget workshop, held March 5, that township department costs are coming in “relatively level” with last year’s, but there still are some costs the township has no control over, such as health care and pensions, which have mandatory increases required by the state.
   She said the state health benefits program will cause an increase of at least $200,000 this year, adding the township has done many things to keep the general budget flat to compensate through interlocal shared service agreements with surrounding municipalities such as Hamilton, Robbinsville and Hightstown.
   For instance, East Windsor shares its animal control service with Robbinsville and Hightstown.
   Another $110,000 in increases will be seen in the Police Department and Fire Department retirement funds due to the state-required increase in pensions, the mayor said.
   ”Unlike the state, we don’t have a choice,” Mayor Mironov said.
   Perhaps the largest budget increase will be in the reserve for delinquent taxes wherein the township has to place $250,000 for anticipated tax appeals.
   She said this is another amount set by a state formula that brings into account municipalities’ tax collection rates, tax appeals and refunds. The need to put so much money into this reserve is a result of the decline in the state’s housing and other property markets.
   ”We (the township municipal government) have to repay the entire amount of taxes if there is a successful tax appeal, not just the municipal portion,” she said.
   Mayor Mironov also said the township has no exemption from these state requirements, but added all the increases still keep the township within the 2 percent cap.
   The township is receiving $3.517 million in state aid in 2013, the same amount as in 2012.
   ”We have met with all departments and agencies and reviewed proposed expenditures, which remain subject to revisions,” the mayor told the Herald on Thursday. She said the town was “finalizing revenues and obtaining final tax base valuation, so as to present a full budget proposal by mid-March.”
   A Township Council meeting date for the budget introduction had not yet been set as of press time.