POLL: Toms River Plans Budget Hearing For May, Tax Hike - What Do You Think?

Toms River residents will have the opportunity to have their most formal say on the township's budget at a meeting and a proposed tax increase scheduled for next month.

In a budget proposal introduced recently, local taxpayers can expect to see a 3.8-cent increase per $100 of assessed property value under the proposed $124 million township budget - $8 million higher than last year.

What do you think of Toms River's tax-hike plans? Please let us know in the poll and in the comments.

Township officials say the effects of Superstorm Sandy, the lack of a $5 million influx from FEMA that made up lost a portion of the ratable base in 2013 and $1.2 million in snow plowing costs from the most recent winter have necessitated the expenditure.

Though Toms River residents are free to comment on budgetary matters during public comment portions of any township council meeting, the formal hearing on the budget has been set for May 6 at 6 p.m. At that meeting, as required by state law, the council will host a public hearing on this year's spending plan.