Average Marlboro Taxpayer Sees 4.6% Municipal Tax Increase

The average Marlboro Township homeowner will see a 4.6% increase from last year's taxes, according to the 2013 budget.

Business Administrator Jon Capp said township spending is within the 2 percent tax levy, but state law allows municipalities to raise money for state mandated programs and emergency appropriations outside of the tax cap.

Hurricane Sandy cost the township more than $2.6 million. That, combined with rising health insurance and pension costs mandated by the state, equals extra funds paid through taxation, as allowed by New Jersey.

Marlboro Township introduced its $32.92 million 2013 budget on March 14, which makes up 17 percent of the local tax bill for Marlboro residents.

$24,496,806 of the budget is slated to be raised by taxation.

The average municipal tax bill (does not include school and county taxes) at a the average assessed home value of $467,897:

• Police - $711.28
• Public Works - $367.67
• Administration and Insurance - $212.97
• Capital Projects and Debt - $135.26
• Uncollected Taxes - $114.14
• Code Enforcement - $64.56
• Health and Human Services - $72.94
• Other - $19.36
• Total average tax bill - $1,698.18
• $75 Increase for average taxpayer compared to 2012

Non-tax revenue has decreased since 2007, which includes investment income and state aid that is no longer available to municipalities.

Find out what Mayor Jon Hornik thinks about Marlboro's state aid funding.

The budget is an increase of around $300,000 compared to 2012, according to a township budget presentation. Marlboro administrators said they have cut spending by $2.46 million since 2007.

The municipal budget funds police, public works, recreation and administrative fees. The largest municipal departments are police and public works.

Take a look at how the Recreation Department in Marlboro is moving toward fee-supported programs.

Personnel costs comprise 64 percent of the budget. Capp said insurance costs rise every year, but the township has cut costs by lowering employee headcount and limiting paid sick days after retirement.

Marlboro Township has reported $2.63 million in cleanup costs due to Hurricane Sandy to FEMA, and expects 75 percent reimbursement. In January, it was announced Marlboro would receive a first round of $1.6 million. The township has not received those funds to date.

According to Capp, debt service in the township is at its lowest since 2003 and the township has continued to maintain its Aa2 bond rating awarded in 2010.