Politics & Government

Administrator Told to Find Additional Budget Cuts

Township Committee wants budget cut further before being finalized.

Township Administrator Mark Krane will need to sharpen his pencils—and possibly consult his dictionary—after the Township Committee reviewed current budget plans for the 2012 year that already reduces the amount to be raised in taxes by about $50,000, Thursday at the .

Despite the reduced total to be collected, many property owners would see an increase in their property tax bill for municipal taxes because of increased assessments—Krane said the owner of a property assessed at the township average of $625,000 would see a $10 increase. Last year, the average property assessment was $612,000.

That apparent contradiction between lower total tax collection and higher taxes for the "average property" troubled Committeeman Vic Sordillo, who questioned Krane about how it's possible the township will collect less money when the average property owner will pay more.

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Krane said the reason is due to the difference in assessments for some properties. While the average assessment increased because of rising prices for mid-priced properties, Krane noted the assessments for more expensive properties went down. 

After a spirited back-and-forth, Mayor Carolann Garafola suggested that Krane refer to the tax impact on properties at the township average assessment rather than the impact on the average property.

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The committee expects to finalize the municipal budget at its March 15 meeting, and gave Krane a directive to reduce the tax impact on the average property owner to zero. Krane had already trimmed nearly $61,000 from an earlier budget, with changes to several staffing positions, eliminating the puchase of one police vehicle, and shifting some items to capital fund expenditures instead of general revenue.

But the committee pushed for more staff reductions.

"If we want a flat tax call, then we'll have to cut staff," Garafola said.

"At the end of the day, guys, this thing is so tight you have to look at payroll," Committeeman Mick Marion said. Marion also suggested reviewing planned computer and phone system purchases to see if leasing agreements culd save money.


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