By Kenny Walter
Staff Writer
TINTON FALLS- A municipal budget for 2016, which Mayor Gerald Turning said is fiscally responsible, which was introduced by the borough council.
“The preparation and contents of the budget have been discussed with each and every department head,” Turning said. “The budget is a reflection of sound financial principles.
“We continue to exercise restraint in our spending and are constantly seeking new and innovative ways to save taxpayer dollars. That has been our primary goal, that has been our mission.”
The $24.6 million spending plan represents a $372,000 increase over the 2015 budget. Fallon said the difference represents a 1.54 percent increase over last year’s municipal budget.
Of the $372,000 increase, $211,000 is attributed to contractually obligated salary and wage increases, according to Thomas Fallon, the borough’s finance director.
The tax rate will increase about 1-cent per $100 of assessed valuation, bringing the rate to 49.2 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. The increase will result in a $33 hike in the average Tinton Falls taxpayers annual bill. The tax levy will increase from $14.1 million in 2015 to $14.7 million in 2016.
For the seventh straight, year the borough will receive $1.49 million in state aid, which Fallon said is not adequate as costs have increased in recent years.
“We had a $410,000 reduction in state aid in 2010, which we continue to get,” Fallon said. “There has been no increase in state aid although all municipalities experienced increases in our costs for services, personnel, goods and benefits.”
The council will be hosting a public hearing on the budget during the April 19, with a vote for adoption expected after the public is heard.
The meeting also marked the final meeting for borough engineer David Marks, who is leaving T&M Associates, the borough’s selected engineering firm.
“It’s been an honor and privilege to serve as your engineer,” Marks said. “Over the past seven years, we have accomplished a significant number of capital improvements to the long-term benefit of the Borough of Tinton Falls.”
Marks said his highlights included overseeing over 10 miles of roads being paved through the borough’s road program and the redevelopment of Fort Monmouth.
Turning said Marks has accomplished much in his seven years while serving as borough engineer.
“We tend to forget about the condition of this borough seven years ago, we tend to forget about no road program, we tend to forget about all of the things we had to do,” he said.
Council President Gary Baldwin also spoke highly of Marks.
You’ve done a remarkably good job for us and I personally want to thank you for what you’ve done for the town and the council.
Tom Neff, an engineer with T&M Associates, will take over as the borough engineer. Marks said he will work with Neff to ensure a smooth transition.