Politics & Government

Public Hearing on Municipal Budget Tuesday

Residents will have a chance to comment on the proposed municipal budget before the Township Council votes on its adoption.

The South Brunswick Township Council will hold a public hearing on the 2012 municipal budget before voting on a resolution to adopt the spending plan at tonight's meeting. The $47.9 million budget holds the tax rate firm from last year at about 72 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.

"I know that the professional staff has worked very hard on this budget and to hold the tax rate steady," said Councilman John O'Sullivan at the last council meeting. "The council members have also worked diligently on this, which required a review of over 700 line items and much correspondence between the council and the professional staff.  I’m happy to note that we have not had to resort to furloughs and layoffs for this budget."

, from 72 cents to 75 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. The council was then able to reduce the 3-cent , before bringing the budget to a zero increase.

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"I think this was very important for residents. There's a lot of unemployment problems and concerns with people's houses facing foreclosure, so things aren’t great in terms of the economy," said Mayor Frank Gambatese earlier this month. " it could've been catastrophic for some residents if we also went up."

. The township received money back from the state for cleanup of a landfill on New Road, .

Find out what's happening in South Brunswickwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The budget will hold departmental operating expenses at the same funding levels as 2011. The township will also take about $40,000 from the snow budget, leaving $100,000 in the fund for the rest of 2012.

"Between now and the April 24 council meeting when the proposed amendment will be voted upon, council members will be listening to the comments from our fellow citizens and considering the budget which has been submitted," O'Sullivan said.

What are your thoughts on the proposed budget? Do you think the council should look for further reductions to cut the municipal tax rate? What else could they cut?


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