Howell Republicans Submit Positive 2004 Municipal Budget

HOWELL – The Republican majority on Township Council presented its 2004 municipal budget at a special budget session tonight.

“This budget represents a fiscally responsible spending plan, a stable tax rate, significant investments in the community and serious belt-tightening across the board,” Councilman Joseph DiBella said.

The budget calls for a 5-cent tax rate increase, from 36.5 cents to 41.5 cents for each $100,000 in accessed valuation. The Republican-led administration has set an ambitious agenda of preserving open space, improving the infrastructure and making investments in public safety and recreational amenities.

Councilwoman Cynthia Schomaker said, “This budget reflects our values for the community and the creative initiatives to be introduced support this point.”

Budget highlights include:

· The municipal budget will be increased by $3,515,794. However, based on new revenue streams and operating cuts, the amount to be raised by taxes will be $1,664,650 million;

· The “controllable operating expenses,” such as departmental budgets, reflects a –3% reduction from 2003 to 2004. The Republican-led council slashed $1,022,000 from the operating budget, perhaps the first time there has been a reduction in the operating accounts;

· The Republican administration has made obtaining grant money a top priority. The budget reflects additional grant money of $403,631;

· Contractual salary increases, medical benefits, social security and pension payments are up $2,275,669. These expenses alone represent 65% of the budget increase, and

· Available surplus from the municipal reserve and the sewer department are being used to help offset the tax increase.

According to Councilman Juan Malave, “This was a tough budget year. With no help from Trenton, we were again forced to do more than less. Even so, the budget includes a host of new services that we believe will improve services to the taxpayers of Howell Township.”

Some increases in services include:

· four new police officers added to the department, thanks to a federal grant secured by Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J.;

· An additional clerk to work in the clerk’s office to provide essential day-to-day resident support;

· A new building inspector, an additional clerk in the tax office and an additional clerk in the building department to help residents secure permits on a more timely basis, and

· 11 new Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) added to the police department to provide daytime emergency medical support to supplement the volunteer squads. In addition, two new ambulances are being provided to the daytime EMT team.

“The new services will significantly improve our capacity to protect the people of Howell Township,” DiBella said. “The 11 new EMTs during the daytime will help us to save lives.”

In addition to new services, the budget includes historic investments in the town’s infrastructure. Highlights include:

· Capital down payment to secure what the council is calling “the big open space plan” – 300 acres of contiguous open space in the center of the township for recreational purposes;

· $2,042,000 for road improvements across the community. This includes road repairs, upgrades and re-paving. In 2003 and 2004, the Republican-led council has earmarked $2.7 million in road investments. This reflects a 105% increase over what was spent in the prior 3 years before the Republican’s assumed control of the council;

· A new park in the Free Wood Acres area of the community, and

· The township will assume grass cutting for all recreational organizations, allowing the recreation groups – and the families who participate – to save significant dollars.

According to Councilman Peter Tobasco, “One thing we hear from residents all over town is that our roads need fixing. This administration is committed to making the necessary repairs and the $2.7 million dollar investment we had made is historic. Never before has the town made repairing our roads such a priority. The people spoke, and we listened.”

Finally, the 2004 budget reflects a truly historic step with respect to professional fees. According to Councilman DiBella, “We have reduced professional fees across the board by 10% from 2003 to 2004. Now, every professional agreement has a hard dollar cap and limit. Each professional receives their budget and has to work within the maximum of what the position will pay.

This is likely the first such cap in New Jersey and reflects a commitment to tighten the belt and re-focus priorities back to new services for taxpayers. The hard cap concept was proposed by Councilman DiBella, who said, “This is the first time in Howell ‘s history that we have cut professional fees.”

Last year’s tax rate increase as held to 1.9 cents, the first year the Republicans held the majority.

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· Councilman Joseph DiBella is running for Mayor of Howell Township this year. Councilwoman Cynthia Schomaker is running for re-election to the Township Council.