By Matthew Sockol
Staff Writer
FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP – Members of the Township Committee have reduced one fire district’s requested tax levy for 2017 by $239,500.
There are two fire districts in Freehold Township, both of which are served by all-volunteer organizations.
Fire District 1 is west of Route 9. Firefighting services are provided by the Freehold Township Independent Fire Company No. 1.
Fire District 2 is east of Route 9. Firefighting services are provided by the East Freehold Fire Company.
In the annual fire district election that was held on Feb. 18, Fire District 1’s proposed budget for 2017 was defeated by voters. The budget totaled $1.2 million and would have been supported through the collection of $1.1 million in taxes, according to the spending plan.
The defeat of the budget by voters meant the Township Committee would review the document. Representatives of the governing body said they held discussions with the Fire District 1 Board of Fire Commissioners.
On March 20, committee members authorized a tax levy of $896,500 for Fire District 1; a reduction of $239,500 from the tax levy the fire commissioners proposed. The budget for Fire District 1 will now total $1 million.
The reductions made to the budget were:
- The removal of $99,000 in salaries and fringe benefits for the hiring of paid personnel. Township Committee members said they do not believe Freehold Township is at a point where paid firefighters need to be hired.
- A $21,000 reduction in other non-bondable expenses. According to the resolution passed by the committee, a proposed Monmouth County radio trunk system project for Fire District 1 is not ready for a 2017 rollout.
- A $15,000 reduction in the training and education budget calling for lower travel and lodging expenses by sending fewer members of the Freehold Township Independent Fire Company No. 1 to a national convention in Nashville, Tenn. Specifically, the number of members who will attend the convention will be reduced from eight to four.
- A $10,000 reduction in computer expense for the purchase of new IT equipment. According to the resolution, the current IT maintenance budget will be unchanged.
- A $10,000 reduction in utilities and mobile phone use.
- A $4,500 reduction in administration for professional fees. According to the resolution, fewer professional fees are anticipated for 2017.
In 2016, the budget for Fire District 1 totaled $1.3 million and was supported by a $1.1 million tax levy.
No one representing Fire District 1 spoke during the March 20 meeting.
Fire District 2’s budget for 2017 was approved by voters in the Feb. 18 election. The budget totals $1.4 million and will be supported through the collection of $1.2 million in taxes.
A fire district tax is one component of a property owner’s tax bill, which also includes Monmouth County taxes, municipal taxes, school taxes and other assessments. Individuals pay more or less in taxes depending on the assessed value of their home and/or property.
During the meeting, Mayor Lester Preston said he is seeking to form a commission to analyze a long-term strategy for firefighting services in the Freehold area.
As described by the mayor, the commission would include members of the Township Committee, representatives of Fire District 1 and Fire District 2, which serve Freehold Township, and representatives of the Freehold Fire Department, which serves Freehold Borough.
