$50.5 Millburn Municipal Budget Introduced

The Millburn Township Committee Tuesday night introduced a $50.5 million 2013-14 municipal budget that would raise taxes on the average assessed township home by more than $100, officials said.

The budget reflects an operating cost increase of $245,236. The proposed budget would increase taxes for residents .011 percent per $100,000 of assessed valuation. So, under the budget blueprint, the average assessed home in the township costing $1,078,440 will see a tax increase of $118.63

To keep the year over year increase the same, at .011 per $100,000, the capital budget was decreased $500,000, the committee said.

Committeeman Ted Bourke gave a presentation of the budget at the meeting, briefly describing certain increases. 

Bourke said the 4 percent increase in salaries and wages, when it is normally 2 percent, in the proposed budget is "a bit of an anomaly."

He explained in the 2012 municipal budget the township did not budget for police and fire positions that were vacant.  

"Even though we had positions by contract, we had a positions in police that had not been filled," Bourke said. "We're also dealing with positional promotions and things like that. It continues to be something we have to deal with in managing our salaries and wages to this two percent allowing for what is contractually committed to our workers and handling promotions on top of it."

Insurance costs also increased 5.7 percent this year.

"We are fighting every year with the 2 percent cap because [insurance] is increasing more than the 2 percent," Bourke said. 

Committeeman Robert Tillotson said although this year the township feels confident reducing the capital budget, he projects in upcoming years the 'penny increase' won't be enough. 

He added, the township would have to decide at that time to increase taxes or reduce service.

Bourke added, "I would still say this is a sound budget for the year."

A public hearing on the budget, as well as a full presentation, is scheduled for May 7.  Residents with questions are encouraged to email 2013budget@Millburntwp.org.