Community Corner
Scotch Plains 2024 Budget: Inflation Hinders Flat Spending, Mayor Says
Inflation isn't just being felt at the grocery store, says Scotch Plains Mayor Josh Losardo. It's felt at the municipal level, too.
SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ - Inflation isn’t just being felt at the grocery store and at the gas pump, according to Scotch Plains Mayor Josh Losardo: the township is feeling the economic effects, too.
Ahead of municipal budget development for the township in 2024, Losardo and the Scotch Plains Township Council are soliciting “any and all” budget suggestions in an attempt to further improvements in the township while keeping spending rates steady, the mayor said in a Feb. 10 statement.
“Just as we all are experiencing tight personal budgets, costs to Scotch Plains have increased,” Losardo said. “We are facing stubborn inflation, as well as significantly higher costs for pensions, health insurance, public safety and fuel, making it increasingly more difficult to keep spending flat. Adding to the challenge is the fact the federal and state government is providing no additional aid for pandemic response.”
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You can view a video of the meeting here.
Losardo added in the statement that the township is spending “wisely” and only “where needed,” such as hiring an additional public works employee and purchasing additional public works equipment.
Find out what's happening in Scotch Plains-Fanwoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“Public safety is also important, which is why the Scotch Plains Police Department has more sworn officers than at any time in our town’s history,” Losardo added.
The mayor said town officials are also “keenly aware” of the recreation commission and other organizations that make up the “heart and soul of our community.”
“Over the past eight years, municipal taxes in Scotch Plains has been relatively flat. We are tremendously proud of that record, as we have developed a reputation for not spending a taxpayer penny if it is not absolutely needed,” Losardo said.
“We will be listening intently to any and all budget suggestions, as we create a fiscal ’24 plan that strikes a careful balance of being responsible to taxpayers, but also keeping Scotch Plains moving forward.”
The development of the municipal budget for 2024 begins July 1.
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