By Matthew Sockol
Staff Writer
MILLSTONE – The Township Committee has introduced a $6.12 million budget to fund the operation of Millstone Township this year.
A public hearing on the spending plan has been scheduled for 8 p.m. May 17 in the governing body’s meeting room, Millstone Road. The committee may adopt the budget that evening.
Mayor Michael Kuczinski, Deputy Mayor Fiore Masci and committee members Gary Dorfman and Nancy Grbelja voted to introduce the budget on April 5. Committeeman Bob Kinsey was absent.
“Fiscal responsibility has always been paramount with this entire elected body,” Masci said. “We always come down on efficiently spending the taxpayers’ money. Millstone taxes in 2016, if you take into consideration the rate of inflation, were actually 2 percent lower than what residents were paying in 2010.
“I would challenge any municipality to rank with us on that. And that goes to show when it comes to how we approach spending taxpayer money, we are as frugal and efficient as possible. I am very proud of this budget and it is because of everybody’s job here,” Masci said.
The $6.12 million budget will be supported by the collection of $2.59 million in taxes from residential and commercial property owners in Millstone. Other revenues include the use of $944,746 from surplus funds (savings) and the receipt of $841,753 in state aid.
Millstone’s 2016 budget totaled $6.46 million and was supported through the collection of $2.59 million in property taxes, $891,893 from surplus funds and $841,753 in state aid.
In 2016, the municipal tax rate was 14 cents per $100 of assessed valuation and the average home assessment was $532,623. The owner of that home paid $746 in municipal taxes.
In 2017, the municipal tax rate is projected to be 13.9 cents per $100 of assessed valuation and the average home assessment is $534,230. The owner of that home will pay $743 in municipal taxes.
An individual will pay more or less in municipal taxes based on the assessment of his property and/or home.
The municipal tax levy ($2.59 million) has remained stable since 2012, according to Chief Financial Officer Annette 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 2017 will be the road program ($840,000) and the acquisition of vehicles and equipment for the Department of Public Works ($340,000), according to Murphy.
The budget includes the following selected appropriations: municipal debt service, $1.2 million; insurance, $1 million; municipal general government, $870,060; public works, $843,834; reserve for uncollected taxes, $830,000; Uniform Construction Code, $320,505; statutory expenditures, $270,018; and utilities and bulk purchases, $232,000.
Millstone has 26 full-time employees and eight part-time employees. Personnel costs account for $2.3 million of the township’s $6.12 million budget for 2017. The township does not have a police department; coverage is provided by the New Jersey State Police.