Berkeley Municipal Budget Introduction Slated For Friday Morning

The Township Council will introduce the 2017 municipal budget at a morning meeting on St. Patrick's Day at Town Hall.

"I'm proud to deliver another fiscally responsive budget that continues to provide all services our residents expect while keeping taxes stable," Mayor Carmen F. Amato said.

The 2017 budget is down $934,242 from 2016.

"We have to introduce the budget by March 17 so we won't lose any points under the state's "Best Practices," the mayor said.

The meeting will begin at 11 a.m. at Town Hall at 627 Pinewald-Keswick Road. The public hearing and adoption will be held at 6 p.m. at the regular April meeting.

The budget calls for a tax decrease in the amount to be raised by taxation.

The 2017 Municipal budget is only $5,400 more than the 2013 municipal budget. The tax collection rate has increased from 97.48 percent to 97.77, Amato said.

"As we have for the last five years, we will continue to monitor expenses to look for additional ways we can save taxpayers money," the mayor said. "Our department and division heads understand that they will have to operate a previous year levels."

Amato thanked Township Council members, Administrator John Camera and Treasurer Fred Ebenau for their help in delivering a cost-effect budget.

"It was a complete team effort," he said.

Image: Berkeley Township