Lacey Facing Potential 3-Cent Municipal Tax Rate Increase

Lacey residents can expect to see taxes increase approximately $420 a year for schools, county and municipal combined, Lacey Township Chief Financial Officer Adrian Fanning said at a budget workshop meeting Wednesday.

The municipal spending plan could potentially carry a 3-cent tax rate bump, Fanning said, while the schools increased its by 7.5-cents or $235 for the average homeowner and the county is looking at a 3.5-cent increase.

The Committee is considering approximately $1,966,500 in capital projects in which the municipality would have to put down about $100,000 in 2013-14, as discussed at the meeting.

“Every number we’re looking at is going to impact the bottom line,” Fanning said.

The total figure in possible capital projects is about half of what municipal departments asked for. More than $3,952,500 was made in requests from a new fire truck and a street sweeper to improvements at Hebrew Park and Deerhead Lake.

The proposed capital purchases and projects are listed below.

'Not equipped' to handle Sandy workload

Wednesday, Director of Community Development John Curtin pleaded with the Committee to increase staffing levels due to Hurricane Sandy.

The department has received more than 100 letters from residents asking that their homes be considered substantially damaged as a result of the superstorm.

“I get letters every day and I see no end to it because a lot of people are just coming down now and coming to grips with it,” he said.

Curtin has estimated that 150 to 200 homes will have to be reconstructed within the next four years.

“My department is not equipped to handle that additional amount of construction in addition to the fact that tentatively, at least, the economy is improving,” he said. “The way my department is set up now, we will not be able to do it.”

It’s likely the department will be “crushed” under the weight of the work that is expected, Curtin said.

Currently the department has been providing much consultation to residents impacted by Sandy and is moving into the rebuilding phase, he said.

Since 2006, the department has gone from full time inspectors to part time inspectors. Clerical has been reduced, he said.

“We’re in a situation where we will not be able to sustain the quality we have always given to the residents,” he said. “Any help is welcomed help.”

Curtin would like to see staffing return to 2006 levels with a full time plumbing inspector, building inspector, a clerk, and a part time fire inspector.

In addition to millions of dollars requested for capital projects, Director of Public Works Casey Parker is also seeking new hires and promotions. But even with the proposed increase in staff and promotions, his overall budget is $40,000 less than 2012, he said.

Since 2004, 15 public works employees have left. Of those 15, nine employees have not been replaced. Employees who perform work outside of their regular duties earn a differential rate.

“It’s become difficult to manage the workload,” Parker said. “Yes, we’re in a tough economy, but I think people are relying on us so much more to provide the services…Because there’s been such a stoppage of doing anything for so many years, logistically we’re in a difficult spot right now.”

Parker said it’s starting to feel “dysfunctional.”

Actual budget figures have yet to be provided. The Committee will further consider the proposed requests and make final determinations at future budget workshop meetings.

The next budget workshop meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 18 at 5:30 p.m.

Capital projects the Committee is considering pursing include:

• Upgrade to Court Room Sound System $10,000
• Laser Fische Records Storage Software $11,000
• 2013 Peterbilt Tandem Truck and Dump Body $210,000
• Rehabilitation of Existing Schwarze Sweeper $75,000
• 25 Cubic Yard Vacuum Leaf Machine $35,000
• Permitting and engineering for Bayberry Village Subdivision 180,000
• Paving and Drainage to Sunrise Boulevard 408,000 (not including grant money)
• Engineering for Deerhead Lake Drainage and Dredging $200,000 (for the total project)
• Engineering for Forked River Beach Bay Front Park Improvements $210,000 (for the total project; will get some reimbursement from FEMA)
• Street End Bulkhead Replacement in Forked River Beach, Hollywood Boulevard and Yacht Basin Plaza $61,000
• Improvements to Hebrew Park 425,000 (not including approximately $100,000 in donations)
• Four Wheel Drive Ford Explorer $25,000
• Ford Explorer SUV Patrol Vehicle 27,000
• Security Fence for Police Facility $38,000
• 2 Scott Air Packs $6,500 (Forked River Fire Department)
• 5 Turnout gear $19,000 (Forked River Department)
• 2 Scott Carbon Cylinders $10,000 (Bamber Lake Fire Department)
• Command Vehicle $45,000 (Lanoka Harbor Fire Department)
• 3 Radios $10,500 (Lanoka Harbor EMS)
• 5 Pagers $2,500 (Lanoka Harbor EMS)
• 3 Radios $7,500 (Lacey EMS)
• 5 Pagers $2,500 (Lacey EMS)
• 1 Strycker Stretcher $12,500 (Lacey EMS)