By Gene Robbins, Managing Editor
Local government is largely about providing necessary services, and that means people are at the heart of the operation.
More than 60 percent of the township’s $27.4 million budget that comes up for public comment Tuesday, May 14, goes to salaries and benefits for the 152 full-time and 27 part-time workers, Chief Financial Officer Nancy Haberle said Wednesday.
The proposed budget foresees filling three jobs beyond 2012. One is an assistant to the tax assessor, and the others are two Public Works positions, she said.
The municipal budget accounts for about 13.6 percent of the local property tax dollar. The local K-12 school system takes about 56 percent with fire services, open space and county government the rest.
If passed, the township budget would raise local property taxes by about $5 for each $100,000 of assessed value, compared to 2012.
If the budget is adopted, the local government’s share of the property tax rate would rise about one-half cent to 31.4 cents for each $100 of assessed value, or about $314 for each $100,000 of value.
The “average” home, assessed at $368,700, would result in $1,158 in local taxes this year compared to $1,139 in 2012, Ms. Haberle said. That’s a 1.6 percent increase, she said.
Main budget increases come from wage and salary increases, higher heath care costs and the capital projects. Health care increases were offset by $300,000 in increased contributions from employees.
About 28.2 percent of the local budget goes to public safety, 15.4 percent to Public Works and 22.7 percent to all insurances and pensions, she said.
The budget is lowered by a continuing debt reduction plan that will mean $121,475 in lower interest payments in 2013, Ms. Haberle said.
Capital spending increases by about $275,000. There is $423,252 of equipment, infrastructure and physical improvements in the spending plan. By far the biggest chunk is $310,000 for new chassis for two rescue squad ambulances. The work costs less than replacing the ambulance shell and the equipment and electronics within the ambulance, a township statement said.
An estimated $75,000 would go to 18 sidewalk projects around the township.
The budget would include the first of three annual payments on money appropriated to deal with last year’s Sandy storm unless federal money is recouped.
State aid decreased from 2007 to 2010 and has stayed relatively static in the last three years.
