Mahwah May 11, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 3 Municipal budget approved by 5-2 council vote by Frank J. McMahon A divided Mahwah Council has voted 5-2 to adopt the 2011 municipal budget of $34,727,326, which represents a $134,030 increase over the township’s 2010 budget and an increase in the township’s municipal tax rate by 2.2 cents over last year’s tax rate of 0.359, which included the library tax. The two members of the council who voted against the transfer of money from surplus to cover the cost of the new union contracts and the adoption of the budget were John Spiech and Harry Williams. Spiech explained that he is opposed to using additional surplus money to cover the cost of the new union contracts. He is concerned that the township may not be able to replace that surplus next year because he doesn’t know what the economy will be like next year. Williams said he opposed the budget “from day one” because he feels the tax increase is too high, and he believes the council conceded too much in settling the union contracts. He also objected to the use of surplus to cover the increased cost of those contract agreements instead of using it for tax relief. The budget will require $21,875,231 in property taxes, an increase of 6.8 percent. The township’s projected total tax rate, including a school tax rate of 0.962 cents, a Bergen County tax rate of 0.242 cents, and a 3.9 cent library tax, is anticipated to be $1.61, which will be a six cent increase. The 2.2 cent municipal tax rate increase, including the library tax, will raise the township’s property tax rate to 38.1 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, or 6.1 percent. The property tax for the owner of a home with the township’s average assessed value of $470,000 will increase by $103 and will result in a municipal-purpose property tax of $1,791 per year. The six cent increase in the township’s total tax rate will result in a property tax increase of $282 for the owner of a home with the township’s average assessed value of $470,000. Each homeowner can determine his or her tax by multiplying the township’s new $1.61 projected total tax rate by the new assessed value of his or her own property in hundreds of dollars. Mahwah Business Administrator Brian Campion recently told the council that the budget includes an additional $175,000 from surplus to cover the expected cost of the new contracts that were recently approved by the council for the township’s Policemen’s Benevolent Association and the township’s white and blue collar unions. He advised later that the details of those agreements will not be released to the public until they have been certified by the unions and the township. Campion said the budget reflects a 14 percent reduction in the township’s workforce and a $517,450 reduction in salaries and wages plus a $260,000 reduction in the cost of garbage and recycling collection, while the cost of tax appeals increased $150,000. The mandated contribution to the library decreased by $14,727, the mandated contribution to pensions increased by $488,208, the reserve for uncollected taxes increased by $88,934 as a result of the projected decrease in revenues available to offset taxes, health insurance increased $384,000 as a result of rate increases, and the budget includes $34,000 for the purchase of one additional police vehicle. He explained, however, that the general appropriations in the budget are in compliance with the state’s 3.5 percent appropria- tions cap while the amount to be raised by taxation for 2011 is in compliance with the state’s two percent tax levy cap. Campion also advised that, on the revenue side, there is a reduction of $800,000 in anticipated surplus, a decrease of $10,000 in Uniform Construction Code fees, a decrease of $20,000 in lower interest, and a decrease of $275,000 in municipal court fees, while there is an increase of $55,000 in rental of township property, and an increase of $90,000 in the hotel/motel tax. Campion emphasized, however, that the budget provides for the same level of services that are expected by township residents, such as the township’s accredited police department, the public works department, the board of health and animal control services, emergency services, recreational/ cultural and senior citizen events and programs, garbage collection and disposal, and open space acquisition and maintenance. In addition, he emphasized that the municipal portion of the total taxes required in 2011 amounts to 21.3 percent, while the school district represents 60.7 percent, the county 15 percent, the library 2.4 percent, and open space six tenths of one percent. It’s time to plant. Come visit our 55,000 sq. ft. enclosed greenhouse! Open to the Public Mahwah Ice Hockey invites boys and girls ages five through 17 to learn to play hockey. Free clinics will be held May 16 from Learn to play hockey 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. and May 20 from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m. at the Ice Vault Arena, 10 Nevins Road in Wayne. To RSVP, e-mail Mahwahicehockey@yahoo.com. Many hanging baskets to choose from. LARGE VARIETY OF FLATS Open late Thursday & Friday 85 Airmont Ave • Mahwah, NJ 201-529-2595 • secorfarms.com Secor Farms ANNUALS & VEGETABLES Potted Perennials Caring for Your Beautiful Landscape is our Specialty 5-11-11 joan/janine SecorFarmsSpring3x3(5-11-11) Still Need A Spring Clean Up? 3 x 3” We Rev4 guarantee it in 3 business days or less with a yearly maintenance & lawn care contract. If not, we will credit your account $150.00. Contact us today for an estimate and details www.chrisjameslandscaping.com info@cjlands.com All major credit cards accepted ���������������������� ����������� ������������ �������������������������������� Grand Opening Special �� ����������� (201) 670-9000 30 th Residential & Commercial N.J.D.C.A. Lic#13VH01114000 ����� ��� �������������� ������������������������������ � ��������� ��������� � � ��� ���� ����� ��� ����� ����� � � ����������������� ��������������������� ����������������������