Town Budget Rises $400K Without Tax Hike

The 2012 municipal budget introduced at a special Township Committee meeting Wednesday includes an additional $416,557 in spending—but a near $68,000 decrease in the amount to be raised by taxes.

The budget includes $16,548,824.87 in total appropriations, with $10,819,960.36 to be raised by local taxes.

Although details of the budget were not available Wednesday, Township Administrator Mark Krane had said in previous discussions the budget would not increase taxes for most residents.

A public hearing for the budget has been tentatively set for May 3, but could be changed if a pending review by the state Local Finance Board.

"As I've explained through this process this is our year—once every three years—for a state review," Krane said, noting every municipal budget must undergo the periodic review. Barring any unexpected complications, the review should be completed in time for the public hearing.

Committeeman Mick Marion introduced the resolution for the budget, and thanked the other committee members for providing guidance as the budget was under development.

"You know, you get into this thing and there's really a lot to it," he said. "You get into this, you start looking at it, you ask a lot of questions—you guys are used to it, but you really helped us through it and we appreciate it."