By JACQUELINE DURETT
Correspondent
SOUTH AMBOY — The city passed its $17.2 million budget on May 9, with no changes to the introduced version.
As such, the municipal tax rate will be rising just 1.57 percent to 1.168 cents per $100 of assessed value. That translates into an annual increase of $48.67 on the municipal tax portion of a city homeowner’s bill.
The city intends to raise $10.6 million of its budget through taxes, $150,000 more than last year.
The city went into the budget process this year particularly strong, with a healthy surplus. With this year’s addition of $468,000, the surplus will be more than $1 million.
In terms of 2016 spending, the city is seeing some of the biggest jumps related to personnel costs, insurance, parks and recreation. Next year’s personnel costs, however, may be impacted by three retirements Business Administrator Camille Tooker announced were slated for this summer.
City Auditor Gary Higgins pointed out that the city’s average assessed value went up slightly this year. Last year it was $266,000; this year it increased to $270,400. According to the budget, residential property accounts for just over 80 percent of the city’s taxable properties.
The public hearing for the budget, held as part of a rescheduled business meeting from May 4, drew no residents. However, officials praised the final budget, a sentiment similarly expressed when it was originally introduced in March.
“I think it shows that we’re being very conscientious toward the taxpayers in town,” Councilman Tom Reilly said.
Also at the meeting, city officials approved $2.5 million in bonding for capital improvements in the city, including ongoing road paving and sewer work.
“We have a three-year plan for capital projects, and this is the bond ordinance that will allow us to move forward,” Tooker said.
City officials also covered two shared-services agreements, including the renewal of an agreement with Woodbridge for animal control services and a new one with the county for a shared radio network.
“We think it’s a great thing,” Tooker said. “It stops the city from having to spend a million dollars putting in its own communication system.”
Council President Mickey Gross called the Woodbridge agreement a win-win for the city.
Gross also announced that the city would again be partnering with neighboring Perth Amboy for a fireworks celebration on July 1.
“It should be a great event,” he said.
