Township Budget to Jump by $180K?

When the mayor rolled out the township's proposed calendar year 2011 budget in mid-March, it did not include a tax hike.

It still doesn't, but the township may now be dipping into its anticipated surplus to cover some expenses that were not factored as Mayor David Mayer and his budget-crunching team put together the township's 2011 spending plan.

The township will advertise the proposed amendment in its official newspapers—Courier-Post and The Record Breeze—over the next few days.

Business Administrator Tom Cardis explained during Monday night's Township Council meeting that officials have decided to add $151,300 to the fuel budget, given sharply rising oil prices.

"We were dealing with what the (gas prices) were in September, because that's when we began to put this budget together," Cardis said.

The average cost for a gallon of unleaded gasoline in New Jersey stands at $3.77 today, according to AAA, up more than $1.25 from the roughly $2.50 a gallon it cost in September.

Industry experts have not ruled out $5-a-gallon gas hitting the state this summer. Prices have already jumped that high in parts of California.

Cardis noted the amendment also includes the addition of a $29,258 interest payment on debt that was missed as the budget was prepared.

The business administrator stressed the local tax levy will remain the same $37,346,064 as when the budget was introduced, even if Council approves the amendment, which would add $180,558 to the 2011 spending plan.

Cardis also noted the $37,346,064 tax levy to support the calendar year 2011 budget is the same as it was for the fiscal year 2010 budget—the township's last 12-month budget.

No one addressed Council during the public budget hearing Monday night. About 25 citizens were in attendance for the meeting.