No Municipal Tax Increase In Initial Budget Proposal For Mendham

MENDHAM, NJ — As work on the municipal budget for 2023-24 continues in Mendham Township, the finance committee anticipates another year with no tax increases.

The Mendham Township Committee met on Monday, April 10 for a regular committee meeting, where they heard the latest update on the budget.

Jason Gabloff, the Chief Financial Officer for Mendham Township provided the update and set up the timeline for the official budget introduction.

The public will be able to hear a more detailed discussion of the overall budget on May 8, with the final public hearing and adoption scheduled for June 12.

According to Gabloff, the finance committee was successful in maintaining the total amount to be raised by taxes at the same level as it was the previous year, a feat that was lauded by a number of committee members.

Additionally, the township's net valuations increased by about $70 million from the previous year. Together, these two factors have made it possible for the township to reduce its tax rate for 2023. The tax rate has decreased from .417 in 2022 to .404.

In Mendham Township, the average home value sits at $948,400, according to projections from the finance committee. Using that calculation, the average homeowner would have a tax bill of $3,826.86, which is a decrease of $127.97.

The municipal property tax, however, is just about 20 percent of a property tax bill, with the bulk of that coming from taxes from the grades 9-12 West Morris Regional High School and K-8 local school district.

Gabloff stated that the township will spend approximately $2.8 million on road projects, which have already begun and include Department of Transportation projects on East and West Main Street. Equipment and improvements make up an additional $1.1 million of the capital spending plan.

"It's pretty impressive that despite multiple unfunded mandates from the state of New Jersey and the regulations and health benefits costs, we were able to do something that most towns can't even do in a regular budget year. I think this will be the fourth year of no increases in taxes, and that is super impressive," Deputy Mayor Sarah Neibart said.

This spending plan is only an update on the official budget plan. A formal introduction will be held on May 8, with a public hearing and final vote have been scheduled for June 12.