By JACQUELINE DURETT
Correspondent
EDISON — Residents will see an average tax increase of about $50 if the introduced budget, presented by Mayor Thomas Lankey at a special council meeting on July 11, is adopted.
That bump to the municipal portion of the tax bill represents a 2.49 percent increase, smaller than last year’s figure, which was 3 percent, and the 9 percent spike in 2013.
The 2016 budget, at $128 million, is a little more than $1 million higher than last year. The township intends to raise $84.5 million through taxes, also a little more than $1 million higher than last year.
The result would be a $51.41 increase on a home assessed at the township average of $177.288.80.
During Lankey’s presentation, he discussed the progress the township has made since he took office in 2014.
“Our ratable base was kind of crumbling at that point in time,” he said. “And we needed to kind of come up with a plan to fix that.”
He said his intent is to stabilize taxes and maintain services, while overcoming the challenges presented by infrastructure issues, commercial property tax appeals, rising insurance costs and pension responsibilities, plus the need to increase the police department’s roster.
“When we came in, the police force was pretty depleted,” he said, adding that three years ago, there were about 150 officers in the department, and now that number is about 185, “which is the target that we selected, that we thought was ideal.” To ensure not only the police department, but other departments are right-sized, he said he has been looking at other municipalities as well as examples in private industry.
Lankey also said his focus has been on improving the township’s reputation, positioning Edison for economic success and expanding the tax base. “In essence, your town is a product. People have a choice,” he said. “Now it’s time to actively go out and market.”
The mayor said the township has been able to attract a number of new commercial neighbors in the past year, such as FedEx in the former Revlon building and the new businesses slated for the Hartz Mountain development: Topgolf, Zinburger and Starbucks.
Lankey also said he was looking at possibilities for various township resources, especially the Stelton Community Center, and would have additional information on the future of that particular building soon.
Lankey also presented an $11.2 million solid waste budget, though it was not discussed much at the meeting.
Following Lankey’s presentation, Council President Michael Lombardi said the council was working with each department to discuss its needs in relation to the budget.