By ROBERT LINNEHAN | The Haddonfield Sun
About 20 residents attended a public budget review meeting last night hosted by Commissioner Jeff Kasko. Kasko, head of the borough’s revenue and finance department, helped the attendees understand what went into crafting the 2010 municipal budget and the challenges the commissioners face from Trenton.
“The reason your property taxes are going up is because of Trenton,” said Commissioner Ed Borden, who, along with Mayor Tish Colombi, also attended the meeting to answer any questions from residents.
The entire borough budget was only increased by $83,000, Kasko said, and operating expenses are actually down for 2010. The borough has 19 fewer employees than 2009 and will also be reducing the leaf collection schedule down to six weeks this year. In 2009 it was eight weeks, Administrator Sharon McCullough said.
This is a cost-saving measure that hopefully won’t have a negative effect on borough residents, Kasko said. The two weeks are being eliminated at the start of leaf season.
Several ideas were thrown about by residents as possible new revenue streams. Resident Herb Hess suggested the commissioners approach the Delaware River Port Authority and request more funding for the Haddonfield station. Presently Haddonfield receives $30,000 a year from DRPA for the station, which it has received each year since the station was opened.
“Are there any more plans to knock on DRPA’s door and ask for more money?” Hess asked. “We’ve been at $30,000 for a long time now.”
Resident Jeff Hammon praised the commissioners for the work they’ve done in preparing the document and dealing with the mandated costs from Trenton. However, he inquired as to the five-year plan the borough may have in place.
Hammon said the state aid difficulties will most likely extend into next year and possibly 2012 as well. Haddonfield had its state aid cut by more than 50 percent, down to a little more than $120,000 in 2010 from $262,000 in 2009.
Kasko said he could see the borough engage in more shared services, consolidations and reorganizations with nearby municipalities. A future of New Jersey still having more than 500 separate municipalities and hundreds of school districts may not be the best option for the troubled state, he said.
He cited Woodbridge, one of the most populous municipalities, as a template of what he was talking about. Woodbridge has one large school district and government for several smaller communities.
Kasko stressed that he was not suggesting Haddonfield do such a thing, however. He did say that Haddonfield would look at more privatization and consolidation options, though.
Borden expressed some concerns, saying that if Haddonfield merged its school district with Haddon Township or Haddon Heights, the value of being a resident in Haddonfield would decrease. Property values would decrease as well, he said.
Resident Melissa Dougherty — a new member of the Haddonfield community from Knoxville, Tenn. — said she was surprised at the way the borough’s government and school districts were so private. Dougherty said in Knoxville, her county had one school-wide district, but it was highly regarded.
“Larger county entities can be done and can be done well,” she said. “I implore the commissioners to explore other and all opportunities.”
The final reading of the 2010 budget will be heard Tuesday, July 27. The $13.9 million budget — minus grant expenditures — increased by only $80,000 over the 2009 budget.
The municipal tax rate was bumped up to 42.39 cents per every $100 of assessed property value, an increase of 2.9 cents. The average assessed home of $491,359 will see an increase of about $156 over their 2009 tax bill. The total local tax bill for the average assessed home is about $2,083.
Almost $10 million in property taxes will be raised for 2010.
