Mahwah May 13, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 9 Township adopts 2009 municipal purpose budget by Frank J. McMahon The Mahwah Township Council has adopted its 2009 municipal budget without reductions in staff, although six positions that are open as the result of retirements or resignations will not be filled. The budget also provides for 3.5 percent salary increases for white and blue collar employees as called for in their contracts, and a four percent increase in police salaries as required by the township’s contract with the Policemen’s Benevolent Association. The township’s budget totals $34,495,634, an increase of $330,008 over the township’s 2008 final budget and the tax levy that is required to fund that budget is $19,560,249, an increase of $1,055,242. As a result, the township’s municipal tax rate will increase by 2.1 cents and the municipal portion of the township’s property tax on a home with the township’s average assessed value of $358,417 will increase by $75 per year. The township’s total tax rate could rise by 7.3 cents, however, when the township’s 2.1 cent property tax rate increase is added to the anticipated 4.2 cent local school district tax rate increase, and a projected one cent increase in the Bergen County tax rate. That 7.3 cent increase in the township’s total property tax rate would result in a property tax increase of $262 per year on a home with the average assessed value. The township’s final total tax rate will be set by the Bergen County Board of Taxation once all the component rates are confirmed in June or July. According to Mahwah Township Administrator Brian Campion, there was a $232,000, or four percent, reduction in state aid this year, a $445,000 reduction on interest on investments and deposits, an increase in contracted payroll costs of $503,000, and a $136,000 increase in the township’s payment toward pension plans. The township’s state mandated contribution to the library also increased by $108,546 to $2,349,532, although the budget anticipates a donation from the library this year of $200,000. Construction code revenue increased about $7,000 to $700,000, Campion said, and the hotel tax revenue remained at $675,000. When the budget was introduced, Mayor Richard (continued on page 10) ���������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������� ���������� ������������������������� Advertise in the YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER SPRING SALE, Get In Shape For Summer! Call me about VelaShapeTM A NEW Nonsurgical method of Fat reduction and body contouring • Non-invasive • No Anesthesia • No Downtime ����������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������ 201-652-0744 Beverly Dunn, MD Waldwick, NJ • 201-445-0032 ������������������������� ���������� ���������������������� 5-13-09 Mike/Janine DrDunn2x3(5-13-09) 2x3”