Glen Rock Municipal Taxes Likely to Rise $174 for Average Resident

Although there will be no decline in services, the average Glen Rock taxpayer will have to pony up an additional $174 for the municipal portion of the 2013 budget.

The Glen Rock Borough Council introduced the $17,340,059 budget on Wednesday, March 27, with a finance plan officials contend is necessary to combat future financial issues.

Finance Chair Carmine Nogara said on a "budget highlights" document that the decision to add more than $100,000 to the borough's rainy day fund is largely responsible for the proposed tax hike, estimated at $174 for the average resident with a home valued at $550,000.

The reserve for uncollected taxes is pegged at $924,529 in 2013, a 13 percent increase over 2012.

"The Council believes that it is fiscally prudent to maintain an adequate level of reserves in order to maintain the Borough's surplus levels," Nogara wrote.

No layoffs are planned in the proposed budget, nor do officials expect a measurable change in services offered.

Separately, the council introduced a capital budget at $1.9 million to pay for various street, infrastructure and technology upgrades.

Altogether, the municipal tax bill averages about $3,000 for the average resident.

Major increases in the 2013 budget are found in police salaries and pension payments, employee health insurance and a reserve set aside to defend against tax appeals.

School board counterparts passed a budget that will decrease the average resident's tax bill by $29, the second straight year of a 0 percent tax increase.

The municipal budget is expected to be adopted on April 24.