The Middlesex County budget for 2015 will bring a tax increase of about $20 on the county portion of the annual property tax bill.
The Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders adopted the county’s $430.8 million gross operating budget on March 19. The plan will raise the county tax rate by less than 1 cent for fiscal year 2015, according to county officials. The tax impact is based on the average home cost, which varies by municipality, officials said.
Freeholder Charles Kenny, chairman of the county’s Finance Committee, said sustainable policies instituted by the freeholders have continually earned the county a bond rating of AAA — the highest rating possible — and have given it the ability to complete infrastructure improvements, enhance services and decrease operating expenses over the past seven years.
“The 2015 Middlesex County budget is the result of a collaborative effort between this freeholder board and the county staff,” Freeholder Director Ronald Rios said. “In this changing world, it is our responsibility as public servants to enhance those programs and services our residents expect. Through our strategic financial planning and forward thinking, we will continue to meet these goals now and in the future.”
The tax increase is attributed in part to $2.6 million in increased charges from the state for mental health care. It is also the result of $1.2 million in state aid cuts to mandated, critical programs — social services, transportation, and aging/human services — that the county must continue to fund because they are “vital social safety nets for our residents,” Kenny said.
Kenny said operational efficiencies are being achieved through new technology. One of the most efficient projects — financially and environmentally — is a solar panel field in North Brunswick, which has already saved $1.8 million in energy costs and will save an additional $1 million each year for the next 13 years.
Other operational efficiencies have been achieved through the expansion of the employee wellness program and the new Partners in Care initiative. Both programs will reduce mandated health-care costs.
“Middlesex County’s operating budget is the product of sound, sustainable fiscal policies, efficient operations and a commitment to offering the best services at the lowest costs. This budget puts the people of Middlesex County first,” Kenny said.
In 2014, the board authorized a debt policy and a fund balance policy, which Kenny said resulted in a reduction of the county’s overall debt by 18 percent, or approximately $124.7 million.
“In addition, our commitment to keeping our costs down — or better yet, reducing them — has resulted in an average growth of the budget of just 1.1 percent over the past five years,” Kenny said.