2 Percent Tax Increase Proposed In Morris Township Budget

MORRIS TOWNSHIP, NJ — Morris Township's annual municipal budget will have a 2 percent tax increase, according to Mayor Mark Gyorfy. Several key revenue sources in the township haven't completely rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, the mayor said.

"While we have weathered this financial storm of decreased revenues and increased expenses, we are not completely out of the woods yet," Gyorfy wrote in his March mayor's recap. "We have yet to see the return of pre-pandemic levels from key revenue sources, such as hotel taxes, parking fees, and other ratables that allow us to keep our residential property taxes in-check."

Additionally, the township has seen higher costs for goods and services, greater liabilities for employee health and retirement benefits and the widespread issue of inflation, Gyorfy said.

With the proposed budget, the average homeowner — with a property assessed at $600,000 — would pay an additional $4.33 a month as a result. The township will hold a public hearing and presentation for the budget April 20, Gyorfy says. Find the proposed budget here.

"Even with the difficulties faced in this year’s budget, we will still be making critical investments in our town’s infrastructure," Gyorfy wrote. "Specifically, we’ll be allocating over $7 million for capital investments, which includes: nearly $2 million for road improvements, over $1 million for our first responders and $600,000 for the redevelopment of our recreational facilities in Collinsville.

"Fortunately, the federal funds we are receiving from the American Rescue Plan will allow us to catch back up on projects delayed by the pandemic without the burden of borrowing money by going to out bond."

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