Budget reductions were discussed for multiple funds to result in a zero percent tax increase
At last week’s meeting, the Tabernacle Township Committee tabled the vote on the proposed 2018 municipal budget, as members of the committee discussed decreases to the budget to avoid a tax increase this year.
A month ago when the committee introduced the budget, the proposed budget was $4.3 million, of which $2.8 million would be raised through property taxes.
As originally introduced, the budget would have increased the municipal tax rate by one cent to 43.2 cents per $100 of assessed property valuation.
That increase would have raised municipal taxes by $26 for a Tabernacle resident with a home valued at the averaged assessed value of $263,744.
However, the members of committee tabled the budget in an attempt to reach a zero percent tax increase for this year’s budget.
According to officials, the budget reductions discussed were to take $35,000 out of the capital improvement fund, $10,000 from workers compensation insurance due to Tabernacle Rescue Squad’s offer to pay for its insurance coverage, $5,000 from garbage and trash removal, $10,000 from public buildings and grounds, $6,000 from fire department expenses and $5,000 from aid to volunteer ambulance companies (insurance coverage copayment and deductible balance billing payments, non-coverage payments and charity care payments provided to Tabernacle residents).
Officials said the decreases will be formalized with the introduction of a budget amendment on May 21. Once introduced, a public hearing date will be set for the budget amendment and the approval of the budget as amended.
According to Township Administrator Douglas Cramer, these decreases would result in a budget with no tax increase.
As originally introduced, the budget allowed for 24 percent to be used for administration, 20 percent on public works, 5 percent on professional services, 7 percent on public safety, 14 percent on debt service and capital improvement, 5 percent on debt service and emergency management, 10 percent on trash collection, 12 percent on insurance and 3 percent on reserves.
In other news:
- There was a proposed 2018 road program for Carranza Road starting at Tuckerton Road toward Moores Meadow Road until funds run out, as well as Powell Place Road from the bridge to El Dorado.
The proposed road program includes drainage improvements to Zimmerman Road and Worrell Road and pipe replacement on Carranza Road.
- The next Tabernacle Township Committee meeting will be held on May 21 at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall.
