By MELISSA DIPENTO
Mt. Laurel Council met last night to discuss the budget in detail at its work session meeting.
Township Manager Jennifer Blumenthal said to satisfy the mandated 2 percent cap, the township would need to raise taxes by $387,878, or about one cent per homeowner.
The township, however, needs to raise an additional $3,292,249, Blumenthal said, to keep township services running at the current levels.
Council is considering the option of a referendum, which would give residents the opportunity to vote to exceed the 2 percent cap.
Blumenthal is also in the process of preparing a budget that would satisfy the cap and show which services and positions would need to be cut.
Council will reconvene next week to further discuss the budget. The date is not set yet for next week’s special meeting. Be sure to check back here for additional budget updates.