Let's Stabilize Local Taxes

Robert_Casotto said:
sounds like another material tax hike is forthcoming.  Cannot wait for the new High School bonds too.  

The bond is for all of the schools.

cramer said:
Maplewood is introducing a 2019 budget with a 6.9% tax increase. 
"After years of passing municipal budgets at, below or near the 2% state-mandated cap, Maplewood Township will be introducing a proposed $45.6M 2019 municipal budget on April 2 with a 6.8% tax levy increase.
Why the change from recent years?
According to Mayor Vic DeLuca, “The key drivers of this year’s increase are roughly $450,000 in salary increases for all employees as per the employee contracts; an increase of $1 million in long term debt repayment (which will save us money over the long term); and annual increases in our payments for employee health benefits and pension obligations.”
“To complicate matters,” continued the mayor, “we have less surplus to carry over into 2019, generally because we have kept budgets and tax increases at a minimal the past few years. This practice, which in the past we did to keep tax increase low, has resulted in less surplus funds to carry over into 2019. Additionally, we are in agreement with the recommended (and more conservative) budgeting policies practices of the current CFO [Joseph Kolokziej]. This will help us stabilize Township finances and improve our bond ratings.”
https://villagegreennj.com/towns/government/a-change-in-accounting-causes-pain-in-maplewood-2019-budget/

 The important takeaway from the article (which is not within the above) is that the increase will be $5 per week for the average household.  $260/year is not outrageous. 

FilmCarp said:

Robert_Casotto said:
sounds like another material tax hike is forthcoming.  Cannot wait for the new High School bonds too.  

The bond is for all of the schools.

 Even better.

Red_Barchetta said:

cramer said:
Maplewood is introducing a 2019 budget with a 6.9% tax increase. 
"After years of passing municipal budgets at, below or near the 2% state-mandated cap, Maplewood Township will be introducing a proposed $45.6M 2019 municipal budget on April 2 with a 6.8% tax levy increase.
Why the change from recent years?
According to Mayor Vic DeLuca, “The key drivers of this year’s increase are roughly $450,000 in salary increases for all employees as per the employee contracts; an increase of $1 million in long term debt repayment (which will save us money over the long term); and annual increases in our payments for employee health benefits and pension obligations.”
“To complicate matters,” continued the mayor, “we have less surplus to carry over into 2019, generally because we have kept budgets and tax increases at a minimal the past few years. This practice, which in the past we did to keep tax increase low, has resulted in less surplus funds to carry over into 2019. Additionally, we are in agreement with the recommended (and more conservative) budgeting policies practices of the current CFO [Joseph Kolokziej]. This will help us stabilize Township finances and improve our bond ratings.”
https://villagegreennj.com/towns/government/a-change-in-accounting-causes-pain-in-maplewood-2019-budget/

 The important takeaway from the article (which is not within the above) is that the increase will be $5 per week for the average household.  $260/year is not outrageous. 

Unless it's coupled with a $500 increase from the school district for the average home.

yahooyahoo said:
I need a municipal budget wonk to chime in here.
Does this mean the TC has been mismanaging the budget process for the past several years? Or were we just living on the edge?  I'm not sure I understand what they mean by budget imbalance.
Also, I don't get why they are talking about taking the sewer expense out of the budget and setting up a separate sewer authority?  We pay a separate sewer payment and it goes to the Joint Meeting of Essex & Union Counties.  We are one of the "owner communities."
http://www.jmeuc.com/

 This isn’t mismanagement— it’s just a different approach, though somewhat akin to kicking the can down the road, ostensibly hoping (I assume) that as new properties come online they’ll offset the reserve depletion.  Piper has to be paid.  The problem in these towns is the way that we pull from one pocket and fill the other.  Ultimately it’s the same damn pair of pants.  

yahooyahoo said:

Red_Barchetta said:

cramer said:
Maplewood is introducing a 2019 budget with a 6.9% tax increase. 
"After years of passing municipal budgets at, below or near the 2% state-mandated cap, Maplewood Township will be introducing a proposed $45.6M 2019 municipal budget on April 2 with a 6.8% tax levy increase.
Why the change from recent years?
According to Mayor Vic DeLuca, “The key drivers of this year’s increase are roughly $450,000 in salary increases for all employees as per the employee contracts; an increase of $1 million in long term debt repayment (which will save us money over the long term); and annual increases in our payments for employee health benefits and pension obligations.”
“To complicate matters,” continued the mayor, “we have less surplus to carry over into 2019, generally because we have kept budgets and tax increases at a minimal the past few years. This practice, which in the past we did to keep tax increase low, has resulted in less surplus funds to carry over into 2019. Additionally, we are in agreement with the recommended (and more conservative) budgeting policies practices of the current CFO [Joseph Kolokziej]. This will help us stabilize Township finances and improve our bond ratings.”
https://villagegreennj.com/towns/government/a-change-in-accounting-causes-pain-in-maplewood-2019-budget/

 The important takeaway from the article (which is not within the above) is that the increase will be $5 per week for the average household.  $260/year is not outrageous. 

Click to Read More

Red_Barchetta said:

cramer said:
Maplewood is introducing a 2019 budget with a 6.9% tax increase. 
"After years of passing municipal budgets at, below or near the 2% state-mandated cap, Maplewood Township will be introducing a proposed $45.6M 2019 municipal budget on April 2 with a 6.8% tax levy increase.
Why the change from recent years?
According to Mayor Vic DeLuca, “The key drivers of this year’s increase are roughly $450,000 in salary increases for all employees as per the employee contracts; an increase of $1 million in long term debt repayment (which will save us money over the long term); and annual increases in our payments for employee health benefits and pension obligations.”
“To complicate matters,” continued the mayor, “we have less surplus to carry over into 2019, generally because we have kept budgets and tax increases at a minimal the past few years. This practice, which in the past we did to keep tax increase low, has resulted in less surplus funds to carry over into 2019. Additionally, we are in agreement with the recommended (and more conservative) budgeting policies practices of the current CFO [Joseph Kolokziej]. This will help us stabilize Township finances and improve our bond ratings.”
https://villagegreennj.com/towns/government/a-change-in-accounting-causes-pain-in-maplewood-2019-budget/

 The important takeaway from the article (which is not within the above) is that the increase will be $5 per week for the average household.  $260/year is not outrageous. 

Unless it's coupled with a $500 increase from the school district for the average home.

I think it will be more than that. There may be some funds lying around that could offset the first few years, but after that, and depending on how they spread the principal, it won’t be pleasant.  It’s still necessary, however.