Tax Rates Go Up, Budget Down From Last Year

Marlboro Township Business Administrator Jon Capp presented the 2012 budget, estimated $32.6 million, at last week's Town Council meeting.

The budget has not yet been adopted by the township, but Capp's presentation highlighted a $350,000 budget decrease from the 2007 budget of $32.95 million.

However, the tax rate will increase from 31 to 33.8 cents, which the administration contributes to revenue decreases.

“Our spending is going down, but we have a revenue problem," Mayor Jon Hornik said in February.

The mayor said grants and state aid are not as readily available as in the past. This year, Gov. Chris Christie announced municipal aid would not increase, leaving Marlboro's state funding at last year's number of $2,268,949.

Hornik also said interest income and the use of the deferred school tax is down, and the township needs to figure out how to increase revenue without raising taxes.

The municipal budget accounts for 16 percent of resident property taxes. The Marlboro school budget accounts for 69 percent of taxes, and county taxes account for 15 percent.

That 16 percent that makes up the municipal budget pays for services such as , Parks and , Public Works, and insurance, capital projects, uncollected taxes, code enforcement and health and human services.

63 percent of the estimated budget appropriations are allotted for municipal personnel. According to Capp, 13 percent of appropriations are for discretionary department operating budgets, which have been cut since last year.

The 2012 budget , as well as a decrease in non-tax revenue. Capp said state-mandated budget items have increased by $2.3 million, but other spending in the township has been cut since 2007.

The township is , including recreation programs, the and public works programs.

"Our reality is that things have to be looked at critically," Mayor Jon Hornik said.

Hornik also announced that the , as well as wave the fees at the township dump for residents looking to dispose before or after spring cleanup.

The 2012 capital improvements budget will include further road and sidewalks improvements, as well as and the preservation of farmland and the acquisition of open space or recreation.

Below is the estimated cost of municipal services on the average residential property taxes, as provided by the township. These numbers do not include county and school taxes, and only cover the 16 percent of taxes that go toward municipal services.

The next Town Council meeting will be on March 22 at 7 p.m. in .