By Matthew Sockol
Staff Writer
FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP – The Township Committee has introduced a $39.5 million budget to fund the operation of the municipality this year.
A public hearing on the budget has been scheduled for 8 p.m. April 25 at town hall. Residents may comment on or ask questions about the budget at that time. The committee may adopt the budget that evening.
Mayor Lester Preston, Deputy Mayor David Salkin and committeemen Anthony Ammiano and Thomas Cook voted to introduce the budget on March 20. Committeewoman Barbara McMorrow was absent from the meeting.
“The Township Committee continues to strengthen the budget position for our taxpayers through the use of a regenerating surplus, many shared services that offset over $650,000 in taxpayer costs and a modest adjustment in the tax levy of 1.8 percent,” Preston said. “Our goal is to ensure that the services to our residents are not jeopardized by abrupt cost increases that would negatively affect the tax rate.”
According to township officials, the $39.5 million budget will be supported through the collection of $21.27 million in taxes from residential and commercial property owners. Other revenues include the use of $5.8 million from surplus funds (savings) and $7.4 million in state aid.
Freehold Township’s 2016 budget totaled $40.1 million and was supported through the collection of $20.89 million in property taxes, $5.1 million from surplus funds and $7.4 million in state aid.
In 2016, the municipal tax rate was 34.7 cents per $100 of assessed valuation and the average home assessment was $380,506. The owner of that home paid $1,320 in municipal taxes.
In 2017, the municipal tax rate is projected to be 34.5 cents per $100 of assessed valuation and the average home assessment is $388,672. The owner of that home will pay $1,340 in municipal taxes.
If a resident’s home was assessed at $500,000 in 2016 and is still assessed at $500,000 in 2017, the municipal tax will decrease from $1,735 to $1,725.
If a resident’s home was assessed at $250,000 in 2016 and is now assessed at $240,000 for 2017, the municipal tax will decrease from $867 to $828.
An individual will pay more or less in municipal taxes based on the assessment of his property and/or home.
In addition to municipal taxes, a property owner’s tax bill also includes Freehold Township K-8 School District taxes, Freehold Regional High School District taxes, Monmouth County taxes, a fire district tax and other assessments.
The municipal budget includes the following selected appropriations: public safety (includes police department), $9.3 million; insurance, $6.7 million; municipal debt service, $4.5 million; public works, $3.7 million; statutory expenditures, $3.7 million; reserve for uncollected taxes, $2 million; municipal general government, $2.9 million; utilities and bulk purchases, $1.4 million; and shared services, $1 million.
Freehold Township has 200 full-time employees, which includes 67 police officers, and 64 part-time employees. Personnel costs will account for $24.5 million of the municipality’s $39.5 million budget for 2017.
