MILLSTONE – The Township Committee has adopted a $6.88 million budget to fund the operation of Millstone Township in 2020.
The municipal budget was adopted by committee members on June 3.
The budget will be supported in part by the collection of $3.32 million in taxes from Millstone Township’s residential and commercial property owners. Other revenue will include the receipt of $852,717 in state aid and the use of $750,000 from the township’s surplus fund (savings).
Millstone Township’s 2019 budget totaled $6.45 million and was supported by the collection of $3.13 million in taxes from property owners. Other revenue included the receipt of $841,753 in state aid and the appropriation of $600,000 from the surplus fund.
From 2019 to 2020, appropriations have increased by $430,000 and the tax levy has increased by $190,000.
In 2019, Millstone Township’s municipal tax rate was about 16.7 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. The average home was assessed at $527,345. The owner of that home paid about $880 in municipal taxes.
In 2020, the municipal tax rate is projected to increase to 17.6 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. The average home is assessed at $528,310. The owner of that home will pay about $930 in municipal taxes.
Municipal taxes are one item on a property owner’s tax bill, which also includes Millstone Township K-8 School District taxes, Monmouth County taxes and a fire district tax.
An individual pays more or less in taxes based on the assessed value of his home and/or property, and the tax rate that is set by each taxing entity.
In the 2020 municipal budget, $1.17 million is appropriated for public works; $971,730 for general government; $855,722 for insurance; $498,520 for uniform construction code and code enforcement; $283,639 for statutory expenditures; $241,000 for utilities; $231,600 for shared services; $127,500 for municipal court and public defender; and $108,000 for parks and recreation.
Other selected appropriations include $94,700 for land use administration; $54,000 for public safety; $40,900 for health and human services; and $20,700 for landfill.
Millstone Township has 29 employees in 2020, the same number of employees as in 2019. The township does not have a police department. Police services are provided by the New Jersey State Police.