MILLSTONE – The Township Committee has adopted a $6.28 million budget to fund the operation of Millstone Township for 2018. Officials said the same amount of money that was collected from residential and commercial property owners as a tax levy in 2017 will be collected in 2018.
The budget was adopted by committee members on May 16 following a public hearing on May 2.
The budget will be supported by the collection of $2.59 million in taxes from property owners. Other revenue includes the use of $1.5 million from surplus funds (savings) and the receipt of $841,753 in state aid.
Millstone’s 2017 budget totaled $6.12 million and was also supported by the collection of $2.59 million in property taxes. Other revenue included the use of $944,746 from surplus funds and the receipt of $841,753 in state aid.
In 2017, the municipal tax rate was 13.9 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. The average home in Millstone Township was assessed at $534,230 and the owner of that home paid $743 in municipal taxes.
In 2018, the municipal tax rate is projected to remain stable at 13.9 cents per $100 and the average home assessment is estimated to be $534,657. The owner of that “average” home will see no change and again pay $743 in municipal taxes.
According to township officials, the municipal tax levy has remained stable since 2012.
“As a result of a lot of effort from all the Township Committee members, the township administrator and all the department heads, I’m very happy to say we were able to pass forward a flat municipal tax once again,” Mayor Gary Dorfman said. “I would like to particularly acknowledge our Chief Financial Officer Annette Murphy for her efforts in helping to make that work.”
Municipal taxes are one component on a property owner’s tax bill, which also includes Millstone Township K-8 School District axes, Monmouth County taxes, a fire district tax and other assessments. Individuals pay more or less in taxes depending on the assessed value of their home and property, and a tax rate established by each taxing entity.
The municipal budget contains the following appropriations: debt: $1.1 million; insurance: $940,300; public works: $909,850; general government: $900,673; reserve for uncollected taxes: $725,000; Uniform Construction Code: $428,890; statutory expenditures: $278,398; utilities and bulk purchases: $264,600; municipal court and public defender: $142,900; public safety: $124,016; and deferred charges: $120,000.
Millstone Township has 28 full-time employees and 12 part-time employees. Personnel costs will account for $2.4 million of the $6.28 million budget for 2018. The township does not have a police department. Coverage and police services are provided by the New Jersey State Police.