Cherry Hill Council Approves Budget, Holds The Line On Taxes

CHERRY HILL, NJ — Cherry Hill taxes will hold steady in the upcoming year after Township Council gave final approval to the proposed $80,601,021 budget with no tax increase Monday night.

It is the tenth straight year Cherry Hill has approved a budget that doesn’t have a tax increase.
The average Cherry Hill taxpayer will pay $1,209.22 for the municipal portion of their property tax bill.

“I am proud that this budget represents our dedication to fiscal responsibility, while also investing in neighborhoods, parks, roads, public safety and other vital township services,” Cherry Hill Mayor Susan Shin Angulo said. “It commits funds to improve roads, so residents can move up and down the streets of their own neighborhood. It funds upgrades to enhance our recreational facilities. It makes investments in public safety, and it prepares the township for long-term success.”

The amount to be raised for taxation for municipal purposes is $42,679,029.19. The library tax is $3,030,759.85, and the open space tax levy is $796,138.

The budget was introduced in August and got final approval in September this year, so the township could incorporate ARPA funding. Cherry Hill will receive $11,361,785 in two increments from the federal government as it continues to navigate the coronavirus pandemic.

In addition to the federal funding, officials said a growth of $58 million in the township's tax ratable base helps the township hold taxes down while continuing to provide services and improve programs.

The township put out a short list of items that will be covered by the budget:

• $15.4 million in capital improvements, including funding the annual road maintenance program, upgrading parks and recreation facilities, and sewer improvements. Among recreation upgrades will be $675,000 for an upgraded HVAC system at the Community Center.
• The capital budget also includes new traffic safety equipment for the Police Department, as well as funding for sports courts resurfacing and upgrades to the Township's trail system.
• Outside of the capital budget, the Township is also dedicating funds to create a new program that will ensure roadways are fully repaved after underground utility work is performed.
• The budget also allocates $750,000 from the Township's ARPA/CLFRF funding to replenish the township's COVID-19 Rental and Mortgage Housing Assistance program, which ran out of its initial $610,000 in funding from Community Development Block Grants after seeing high demand.

This year's proposed budget lists an anticipated surplus of $19,213,179.73. The township anticipates $86,623,652 in revenues, including $8,775,844 in state aid, as well as $1,500,000 in construction code fees, $1,475,253.31 in public and private revenues, $1,005,447.92 in revenue from "other special items" and $10,000 in delinquent taxes.