Budget Up for Introduction at Tuesday Twp. Committee Meeting

The Montville Township Committee will vote on introducing its $4,054,994 municipal budget during Tuesday's meeting.

The budget up for introduction includes a total general appropriation increase of $487,021, an increase of 1.7 percent over the 2012 municipal budget's general appropriations. The total 2012 municipal budget was $3,883,660.

To maintain a tax levy within the state-mandated 2 percent cap, of which the township administration is proposing a 3.7 percent increase, $1,436,000 of fund balance; $549,603 of money from capital funded ordinances and $346,760 of library surplus would be utilized. At last month's township committee meeting, committee members considered and mostly rejected the idea to use Water Utility fund balance to balance the budget.

In his memo to township committee members summarizing the budget up for introduction, Township Administrator indicated the "challenges" the township faced in drafting this year's budget.

"In 2013 the budget was challenged by three areas that include significant increases in appropriations, tax appeals that have been settled, which necessitate refunds to be paid by the township, terminal leave payouts owed to those retiring at the end of 2012 and increases in health insurance," he said.

The township committee will be meeting publicly at 8 p.m. in the municipal building on Changebridge Road.