Washington Township Council Approves $12.3M Budget

The Washington Township Council voted unanimously to approve a $12,393,000 annual budget during their meeting Monday night.

The average township homeowner with a property assessed at $534,000 will see a $31 tax increase, as well as a $20 increase for school taxes. The effect of the county's budget on local taxes was not yet available.

The budget includes funds to bond for several capital improvements, including $43,692 as the down payment to repave Sussex Road, Morgan Court, Grace Court and sections of Ridgewood Boulevard, Hoover Avenue and Crest Place at a total cost of $908,692. A $15,000 down payment for a $300,000 project to repave Colonial Boulevard was also included separately because officials hope to win a Department of Transportation grant for the project.

Officials also plan to undergo a revaluation this year because of the high number of tax appeals the township has faced. The Council approved a special emergency appropriation — meaning it can be paid off over five years — of $280,000 for the project, but did not yet pick the company which will perform the revaluation. THe are expected to choose a firm at their next meeting on May 20.

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