Public hearing on budget scheduled June 19
by James McEvoy, Managing Editor
MILLSTONE — Despite proposed increases in the 2013 municipal budget the amount to be raised by local taxes is expected to remain flat.
The committee introduced the $6.1 million spending plan, which is set to be supported by $2.59 million in local taxes, at the May 15 committee meeting.
The tax levy figure is the same that was used to support last year’s $5.9 million budget.
Last year, the budget resulted in a municipal tax increase of $241 for a home assessed at the township average of $449,756.
Despite the fact the tax rate itself will remain flat, increasing home values will result in a slight increase. According to Business administrator Tom Antus the average value of a home in the township is increasing to $450,468, an increase of just over $700 from last year. This increase will result in the owner of an average assessed home to pay an additional $1.17 in municipal taxes.
Mr. Antus emphasized the increase has nothing to due with the committee’s budget and is actually a good sign for Millstone economically.
”It has nothing to do with how much we’re spending or what went up or revenues or anything,” he said. “The Township Committee took great pains in reviewing this.”
He said among the most significant increases in the budget included health care costs, which increased by $50,750 and general liability insurance, which increased by $4,207.
These and other increases were accommodated by increased revenues including an additional $59,000 in construction fees and a $377,656 reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Mr. Antus said.
According to budget documents, surplus is anticipated to be $755,709.37, a drop from last year’s tally of $1.02 million.
Despite the efforts of the committee, Mr. Antus lamented the impact of ongoing state aid decreases.
”The state has skimmed an average of $278,000 a year for the last 13 years. That totals $3.61 million over 13 years. That’s a penny and a half on a tax rate,” he said.
A public hearing will be held June 19 at 8 p.m. after which the Township Committee may formally adopted the budget.
The hearing will be held in the township meeting room located at 215 Millstone Road, Perrineville.

