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Monday July 21, 2008
Borough Budget Adopted with Four Point Hike
by Tom Boud
At its July 16 meeting, the Borough Council adopted the 2008 municipal budget, with a four-point increase. The average borough homestead – assessed at about $190,000 – will be charged about $75 more for the town levy. The governing body was able to approve the spending plan after state aid figures were ironed out. With a meager restoration, the borough lost about $150,000 from Trenton, equaling two tax points.
Following budget ratification, Councilman Keith Kazmark said he was disappointed in the assistance cutback. He said the state’s $6,700 aid reinstatement was “a drop in the bucket.” He said the net six-digit dollar trimming falls on the local taxpayer’s backs.
“This is as classic as a back-door increase you can find.”
Kazmark did note the town tax boost is the mildest in some time. Lepore seconded that.
“We were able to put together a budget that, as the councilman said, is the best in years.”
The mayor said income from the Four Seasons At Great Notch development has been helping the borough. Nevertheless, he did say the state aid curtailment is unfortunate.
“If this continues in the future, it’ll become problematic, but we’ll get through this year.”
After adjournment, Lepore said most of the municipal levy rise is due to the state aid drop, as well as Trenton’s mandated pension hikes. He said, in future years, the amount of uncontrollable expenses looms as a big “X” factor.
“It all depends on how much our expenditures increase, and it depends on if the state hits us with more back door increases,” he said, referring to further state assistance trimmings.
Reprinted with permission. (c)2008 Passaic Valley Today (Passaic Co., NJ) Tom Boud
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