Politics & Government

Spring Lake Municipal Budget Increase Averages Less than $20

Borough introduces municipal budget with slight increase for taxpayers

Spring Lake taxpayers will pay slightly more in municipal taxes this year under a $10,275,155.34 spending plan introduced by the governing body at their Tuesday, March 22 meeting.

The municipal tax rate rose just 0.001 this year, to 0.204 per $100 of assessed value. That means residents with a home with an assessed value of the borough average of $1,802,000 will pay $3,676.08 in municipal property taxes, an increase of  $18.02.

The borough plans to spend approximately $75,000 more than it did last year, though the total budget number is less than last year's $10,629,862.01. Chief Financial Officer Robbin Kirk explained that this disparity was due to a number of grants included in last year's figure that were not included this year. 

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While they had originally hoped for a flat budget, or a possible tax decrease, the borough faced three specific problems that account for the increase.

Group health insurance rates have risen for borough employees. The borough recently saw the retirement of both their police chief and ranking police captain and separation pay for each will come from the 2011 budget. Additionally, Spring Lake's decision not to enter a shared services agreement for police dispatching has left them bearing the full impact of those employees.

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"It's a very strong budget in a very difficult year," Mayor Jennifer Naughton said.

The mayor explained that the primary goals throughout the budgeting process were to maintain the high level of services the borough is known for, fund all key departments, pay down debt and fund capital projects.

Spring Lake's municipal tax increase is slight compared to many neighboring towns. this year while Spring Lake Heights will face a . Manasquan recently introduced a budget with an while Belmar plans to keep their this year.


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