By Kenny Walter
Staff Writer
LONG BRANCH- The 2016 municipal budget is expected to look very similar to the 2015 edition in Long Branch.
“The 2016 budget revenues are very similar to 2015,” Finance Director Michael Martin said. “The state aid has remained the same and we will be using the same amount of surplus as in 2015.
“The library taxes went up around $20,000, and generally most of the other revenues are staying similar in size.”
The City Council introduced the $55.8 million budget during its May 10 meeting. If adopted, the overall budget would increase from last years $54.4 million budget.
The tax levy comes in at $37.2 million, an increase from last years $35.8 million levy.
The library tax is $1.5 million and the council will use $2.9 million in surplus, while state aid comes in flat at $4.3 million.
According to Martin, the average assessment in Long Branch rose from about $364,000 in 2015 to $413,000 in 2016. He said despite the increase in value, a property owner at the city average will pay an estimated $162.95 in taxes, which includes municipal, county, school, library and open space taxes.
