By Matthew Sockol
Staff Writer
MILLSTONE – The Township Committee has adopted a $6.41 million budget to fund the operation of Millstone Township this year.
Mayor Bob Kinsey, Deputy Mayor Michael Kuczinski and committee members Gary Dorfman, Nancy Grbelja and Fiore Masci voted to adopt the budget on May 4. No one from the public commented on the budget prior to the committee’s vote to adopt the spending plan.
According to Chief Financial Officer Annette Murphy, the $6.41 million budget will be supported by the collection of $2.59 million in taxes from residential and commercial property owners in Millstone. Other revenue includes the use of $891,893 in surplus funds (savings) and the receipt of $841,753 in state aid.
Millstone’s 2015 budget totaled $6.21 million and was supported through the collection of $2.59 million in property taxes, $832,663 in surplus funds and $841,753 in state aid. The municipal tax rate was 15 cents per $100 of assessed valuation and the average home assessment was $496,682. The owner of that home paid $745 in municipal taxes.
In 2016, the municipal tax rate is projected to be 14 cents per $100 of assessed valuation and the average home assessment is $532,623. The owner of that home will continue to pay $745 in municipal taxes.
An individual will pay more or less in municipal taxes based on the assessment of his property and/or home.
The township’s tax levy ($2.59 million) has remained stable since 2012, according to Murphy.
In addition to municipal taxes, a property owner’s tax bill also includes Millstone Township K-8 School District taxes, Monmouth County taxes, a fire district tax and other assessments.
Capital improvements for 2016 will consist of the acquisition of a 2.5-acre property that could be used for affordable housing ($150,000), technology upgrades ($50,000), road improvements ($840,000) and the acquisition of vehicles and equipment for the Department of Public Works ($106,048), according to Murphy.
The technology upgrades include copy machines for municipal offices, a security system at Millstone’s parks, and improvements for Millstone’s Public Educational Government access channel.
Road improvements will include projects on Stillhouse Road from Sweetmans Lane to Baird Road, Roberts Road, Emmons Drive and Scotto Drive, the south end of Battleground Road, and miscellaneous improvements. A $225,000 grant from the state Department of Transportation is expected to be received in connection with the Stillhouse Road improvements.
A bond ordinance to cover the acquisition of the affordable housing property was adopted by committee members on March 16. Bond ordinances for the capital improvements were adopted on May 4.
The budget includes the following appropriations: municipal debt service, $1 million; insurance, $933,950; municipal general government, $896,209; public works, $889,912; reserve for uncollected taxes, $830,000; deferred charges, $368,000; insurance, $336,455; statutory expenditures, $271,395; and utilities and bulk purchases, $217,000.
Millstone has 26 full-time employees and nine part-time employees. Personnel costs account for $2.2 million of the township’s $6.41 million budget for 2016. The township does not have a police department; coverage is provided by the New Jersey State Police.