By Peter Elacqua
Staff Writer
HOWELL – The owners of residential and commercial properties in Howell will pay $26.59 million in a local tax levy during 2017 to support a $47.91 million budget that has been introduced by the Township Council.
Officials will use $3.5 million from Howell’s surplus account (savings) as revenue in the spending plan, according to Chief Financial Officer Louis Palazzo. State aid will remain stable at $7.92 million.
Howell’s 2016 municipal budget totaled $46.94 million and relied on the collection of $25.4 million in local taxes and the use of $3.5 million from surplus as revenue. The municipal tax rate was 39.9 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, the average home was assessed at $318,169 and the owner of that home paid $1,269 in municipal taxes.
Officials said the tax rate will remain stable at 39.9 cents in 2017. The assessed value of the average home in the township has increased to $332,528, according to Palazzo. The owner of that home will pay $1,326 in municipal taxes in 2017.
Municipal taxes are one part of a property owner’s tax bill, which also includes Monmouth County taxes, Howell K-8 School District taxes, Freehold Regional High School District taxes, a fire district tax and other assessments.
Township Manager Jeff Mayfield said an administrative assistant for community development (code enforcement) and an assistant violations clerk for the municipal court will be hired in 2017.
The budget was introduced with a 5-0 vote from Mayor Theresa Berger, Deputy Mayor Robert Nicastro, Councilwoman Evelyn O’Donnell, Councilwoman Pauline Smith and Councilman Robert Walsh.
During public comment prior to the introduction of the budget, resident Les Spindel expressed concern regarding what he described as the steady increase in municipal taxes.
Spindel said municipal taxes have increased 8.5 percent over the last two years.
He noted that among four taxes paid by property owners in Howell – Howell municipal taxes, Howell K-8 School District taxes, Freehold Regional High School District taxes and Monmouth County taxes – municipal taxes, which accounted for 9.4 percent of a property owner’s tax bill in 2000, now account for 17.4 percent of a property owner’s tax bill.
“That is way too high and unacceptable,” Spindel told council members. “We ask for your help in taking the current proposed budget and finding a way to reduce those costs.”
A public hearing on the budget will be held at the municipal building, 4567 Route 9 North, at 7 p.m. April 18.