By Amy Batista, Special Writer
EAST WINDSOR — The Township Council introduced its 2016 municipal budget at $21.5 million Tuesday, which calls for a no increase in the municipal tax rate for the third year in a row.
According to Mayor Janice Mironov, that means the same municipal tax rate has existed for the past four years.
“This document is a result of the first workshop session and discussions that we’ve had,” said the mayor. “It is fair to say that it builds on a foundation that we have structured for the last several years. The budget is a fiscally conservative budget document which well serves our community.”
Mayor Mironov said the proposed budget maintains all existing levels of service.
The tax rate for 2016 would be 43 cents per $100 of assessed value. The average township household, with homes assessed at $258,052, would see a municipal tax bill of about $1,120. The average township household in 2015, homes were assessed at $258,351 and were seeing a municipal tax bill of about $1,115.
The 2016 budget is proposed at $21,552,312. A public hearing on the spending plan is set for April 19.
Mayor Mironov said it’s an increase of 1.17 percent over last year’s budget.
“The 2016 municipal tax levy amount is well below the state tax levy amount,” she said. “In fact, to underscore that, the available tax levy caps to East Windsor would enable a further increase of approximately 6.2 cents over our existing rate. We’re not doing that, but it does underscore the prudence with which we have been budgeting and spending this year as well as in recent years.”
The East Windsor municipal component of the total local property tax bill remain the smallest part and remains at less than 15 percent, she added.
“The East Windsor municipal tax amount is among one of the lowest amounts in the region and well below the statewide average,” she said. “Notwithstanding, we continue in this budget as we have to deliver a very high quality level of services to our residents.”
She said that the council along with the staff has worked hard to keep spending levels tight.
“As elected officials, we have continually sought out additional efficiencies, cooperative purchasing avenues, and service sharing opportunities as well as maintain a very low debt-level,” she said. “The positive outcome of this project results from the pro-active effects of the township who carefully plans, closely monitors expenditures and revenues throughout the year.”
She said that East Windsor’s good results are also resulting from the town’s business activity.
“East Windsor has been highly pro-active in supporting existing businesses and seeking to expand business opportunities and attracting commercial ratables,” she said.
She said it wouldn’t be a budget introduction without noting that the State of New Jersey continues to divert millions of municipal dollars, which belong to towns for property tax relief. The mayor said the state has shorted East Windsor taxpayers several million tax dollars that could have significantly reduced property taxes throughout their municipality.
“I think we have a very solid, very responsible, fiscally conservative but very responsible budget document that we have assembled and are hopefully prepared to introduce here tonight,” she said.
