By Jane Meggitt, Special Writer
UPPER FREEHOLD — A resident owning a home assessed at the township average of $449,600 can expect to pay $890 in municipal taxes this year, under the 2013 budget introduced at the March 7 Township Committee meeting.
The local purpose tax rate rises from 0.185 percent of taxable assessed value to 0.198 percent, an increase of 0.013, or 7 percent.
A presentation and public hearing on the budget will be held April 4.
While the proposed 2013 budget totals $4,997,000, down $50,743 from last year’s $5,047,743 budget, anticipated surplus is also down 13 percent, from $1,225,000 in 2012 to $1,066,000 in 2013.
The tax levy totals $2,353,449, representing a 9 percent from last year’s total of $2,169,054.
In addition, Upper Freehold is budgeting $30,882 less than last year in its reserve for uncollected taxes, down from $840,886 in 2012 to $810,004 this year.
Though total salaries and wages are down 2 percent, from $981,070 last year to $964,182 this year, insurance costs increased overall by 13 percent, from $346,500 in 2012 to $390,501 this year. Social Security and Medicare payments are up by $300 over last year, from $80,300 to $80,600 while group health insurance is increasing 24 percent, from $237,000 in 2012 to $295,000 in 2013.
The salaries and wages for the township’s share of the Hope Fire Company budget are up 1 percent, from 203,000 in 2012 to $206,000 this year.
Legal services and costs are down 22 percent, from $107,500 in 2012 to $83,500 this year. However, legal services and costs for human resources are up 153 percent, from $15,000 last year to $38,000 this year.
The capital improvement budget is down 18 percent, from $134,000 last year to $110,000 this year. Recycling and landfill costs remain the same, at $53,925. The public building and grounds budget is up 16 percent, from 20,250 last year to $23,525. Utilities and bulk purchases are down 6 percent, from $125,500 last year to $118,000 in 2013.
The debt service is up slightly, from $1,527,983 last year to $1,537,500 in 2013.

