MARLBORO — The Township Council has adopted a municipal budget that will see municipal taxes drop for residents whose homes are assessed at the township average.
“[The budget] is with less of a tax levy than in prior years, so I am pleased to back it,” Mayor Jonathan Hornik said at the April 16 council meeting. “And I thank the council for their continued support, especially with working with us [the administration] on the budget.”
The council has adopted a 2015 budget totaling $34.82 million, up $80,000 from when the council introduced a budget of $34.74 million in March. The owners of residential and commercial properties will support the budget by paying a total of $25.28 million in property taxes.
The budget increase was a result of Marlboro receiving a $78,000 pension bill imposed by the state, according to Business Administrator Jonathan Capp.
Officials will use an additional $80,000 from surplus (savings) to offset the increase in the state pension assessment. The increase in the budget and the use of surplus do not affect the tax levy, Capp said.
In 2014, Marlboro’s municipal budget totaled $34.16 million and was supported in part by the collection of $25.4 million in a local tax levy
According to a presentation by Capp, the 2015 budget includes increased spending for snow removal.
In 2014, the municipal tax rate was 37.7 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. The average home in Marlboro was assessed at $465,821, and the owner of that home paid $1,756 in municipal taxes.
In 2015, the average home in Marlboro is assessed at $492,540, and the municipal tax rate is projected to be 35.5 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. The owner of that home will pay $1,748 in municipal taxes — a decrease of $8.
An individual whose home was assessed at $450,000 in 2014 paid $1,696 in municipal taxes. If that individual’s home is still assessed at $450,000, he will pay $1,597 in municipal taxes in 2015 — a decrease of $99.
Some residents could, however, see an increase in their municipal taxes this year. For example, an individual whose home was assessed at $500,000 in 2014 paid $1,885 in municipal taxes. If that individual’s home is assessed at $550,000 in 2015, he will pay $1,952 in municipal taxes, an increase of $67.
Municipal taxes are one part of a property owner’s annual tax bill. Other items include Monmouth County taxes, Marlboro K-8 School District taxes, Freehold Regional High School District taxes, a fire district tax and other assessments.
Marlboro will receive $2.3 million in state aid in 2015. That amount has remained steady for several years, according to township documents.
The budget includes infrastructure improvements as part of Marlboro’s capital program.
Officials said $3 million will be spent on road improvements, and improvements will be made to Nolan Road Park and to water treatment plants at Tennent Road and Harbor Road. The capital program also includes the preservation of farmland and the acquisition of open space for recreation.
A budget statement from municipal officials mentions spending costs as they relate to storms and emergencies.
“As we learned all too well with superstorm Sandy, the township cannot rely on outside agencies for power, water, fuel and shelter for our citizens during times of emergency,” the statement said. “With the assistance of a $250,000 grant from FEMA, we will complete backup generator improvements at the recreation center in 2015 and will continue to implement upgrades to our water supply and distribution infrastructure.
“In 2015, with a 75 percent grant from the New Jersey Department of Transportation, several traffic intersections will be upgraded so they will remain fully functional during a power outage,” officials said.