Hazlet 2023 Municipal Budget Keeps Tax Rate Steady

HAZLET, NJ — Residents will see no municipal purposes tax rate increase this year under a budget to be adopted by the Township Committee, according to its budget statement.

The budget is scheduled for adoption at the Township Committee meeting at 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 23.

As in 2022, the amount to be raised by taxation in 2023 is $16,633,627. The tax rate per $100 of assessed valuation is .483 in 2023, compared with .563 in 2022, a 0.08 decrease, according to the budget statement.

The average assessed property value increased to $445,120 in 2023, compared with $382,140 in 2022.

The annual municipal payment on a property at the average assessed value is $2,151, as in 2022, the township said in its budget introduction May 9.

For 2023, total appropriations were $23,361,098.59, compared with $24,540,869.63 in 2022, a decrease of $1,179,771.04, according to the budget statement.

"We saw a decrease in the total appropriations for the budget. This reduction has resulted in a $0 increase to the amount to be raised by taxation, while increasing services to our residents," the budget statement said.

Capital projects in the budget include:

• 8th Street Park renovations.
• Cullen Center parking lot addition.
• New tennis and pickleball courts at the Municipal Complex.
• New playground equipment at Veterans Park.
• Bulk item program.
• Litter Patrol program.
• 2023 Road program.