Midland Park April 28, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 15 Town budget maintains services despite drop in aid Programs and services will be maintained at their present levels under the budget introduced by the Midland Park Borough Council last week for 2010. “Our goal was to fund programs and services as efficiently as possible, and always continue looking for more efficient ways to do business,” said Borough Administrator Michelle Dugan. She added that given the budgetary uncertainty at the state level, the Mayor and Council focused on the current economy, potential changes over the next several years and how to best position the town for future uncertainty beyond 2010. The total budget of $9,433,858 is $54,419 over last year’s appropriation. The $6,504,506 to be raised by taxation, however, is up $164,614, a 2.6 percent increase, below the 4 percent state cap. Taxes on a house assessed at $300,000, the borough’s average, will see an increase of $66 a year for municipal purposes. School taxes will add another $246. The borough lost $140,543 in state aid this year, but has lost a total of $317,831 since 2007. The town also realized a $2,674,267 loss in property tax ratables due to tax appeals, creating a smaller tax base to absorb the increases. There were major increases in several areas, including: health benefits ($24,500), pension bills from the State of New Jersey for PFRS and PERS ($51,000) and the Northwest Bergen County Sewer Authority ($51,500). In addition, renewed contracts for shared services with Wyckoff for emergency dispatch ($16,000) and with Allendale for construction/zoning/electrical code officials ($7,100) resulted in increases. The proposed budget funds the Midland Park Memorial Library at the same level as 2009 at $455,000 ($20,791 above the statutory requirement of 1/3 mill of assessed property values). Dugan said that with the continued reduction in state aid and other revenues, the borough is now reliant on local income for 80 percent of its revenues. “In spite of years of conservative planning, our balance sheet has been affected by the economic downturn. Midland Park ended 2009 with $3,058,835 of fund balance, a decrease of $141,574 from 2008. Each succeeding year, we will need to use more of this surplus to mitigate the other revenue losses or develop new revenues,” she said in the budget statement. To compensate for the revenue loss/ increase in costs, the Capital Improvement Funds were trimmed to $475,000 for “pay-as-you-go” purchases of $475,000 in 2010, while still providing for fire, police, and public works vehicles and equipment, road paving, and facility and infrastructure maintenance. Shared services and grants will continue to be pursued, Dugan said. Additionally, the borough recently bid for banking services that resulted in a higher rate of return on its money while maintaining the same level of service. The public hearing on the budget is scheduled for May 27 at 8 p.m. TeenKula, an advocacy program, for teens by teens, which raises awareness for Kula for Karma’s children and teen programs serving children with cancer, autism and at-risk youth, held its inaugural fundraising event at Starbucks in Midland Park. The event, ‘Open Mic Night,’ featured 11 teen groups and musicians from surrounding towns who shared their musical gifts to benefit children and teens in our community who are vulnerable. TeenKula raised over $1,500. Pictured: Amy McBrayer. Raising awareness ����������������� ���������������� ����������������������������������������� ���������������������������� ������������������������������ �������������������������������������� 4-21-10 4-14-10 janine VilladomWebsite3x3BW(4-21-10) VilladomWebsite3x3(4-14-10) 3 x 3” Rev1 � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � ��� � � � � � � ��� � � � � � � � � � � �������������� � �� � � ���� � �� �� ���� � �� �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � ��� � � � � � � � �� � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � KEANE FIT & WELLNESS ��������� �������������������������� ������������� ������ Sheila Keane ������������������������������������ �������������������������������������������� ������������������������ ��������������������� ���������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������������������� � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � ��������������� � � ��� � � � �� � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � MOTHER’S DAY SPECIAL BUY 4 SE SSIONS GET 5 ��������������������� $250 � � � � � �� � � � � � � ��� � � �� � � � � � � � � ��������������������������������������� �������������������������������������� • EDUCATED MA in exercise science • CERTIFIED Post ACSM, NASM, Pos Rehab Specialist, MAT Specialist • EXPERIENCED 15 years one-to-one personal training 201-341-0183 • CALL NOW Fitness, Weight Loss, Bariatrics, Geriatrics & Parkinson’s Programs