“The biggest issue is keeping taxes down.”
That’s what Mount Laurel Mayor Jim Keenan said to expect in 2012.
He said he believes the township will be very busy this year.
One of the first items to address is replacing Jennifer Blumenthal, the township manager who is leaving Jan. 6 to take on a similar role in Brigantine.
The council has already started the hiring process to replace her, Keenan said.
“Our issue with the budget is the same thing it’s been the last three years, which is revenue,” Keenan said.
Also, he foresees tax appeals being a problem for near future because the township will be spending money defending against tax appeals. And, tax appraisals may result in Mount Laurel issuing refunds.
The mayor said Mount Laurel’s spending appropriations for the 2011 budget were about $55,000 more than the 2008 budget. He also said the budget has been under the 2 percent tax-increase cap.
“That’s fantastic,” Keenan said. “The township has done its due diligence.”
Keenan said the township has been achieving efficiencies, which is a big reason why it has been staying under the cap.
He said the township looks to see what other towns are doing and what their tax rates are.
Mount Laurel’s local purpose tax makes up 13 percent of all taxes while other towns in the area are 20 percent or higher.
“We’re proud of that,” Keenan said, noting the main things the township must provide are public health programs and public safety. But, he said, such programs and adequate public safety become a challenge without help from the state.
“It is the council’s job to try to keep our tax levy down as much as possible, even though it is only 13 percent of the total tax bill,” the mayor said. “We are responsible for providing the public safety (cops) and protect the public health (EMS and trash removal) in town. It is a delicate balance that we need to constantly monitor. It is very hard to do in these difficult economic times. I wish that the state would assist municipalities in this endeavor, but they seem to be tone deaf to our pleas.”
He said Mount Laurel is able to come in under the cap because of concessions from the unions and efficiencies.
The 2011 budget was $2 million below the salary and wage line of the 2007 budget.
Keenan also railed against state’s unfunded mandates and the need to pass tool kit reform.
“They’re three years into a recession and they’ve done nothing to help municipalities,” he said. “The state needs to wake up and start helping municipalities and they’re not doing it.”
Keenan said Trenton should create more jobs in the state by lowering taxes for businesses. He also believes the state should help with public health and public safety in municipalities.
“I’ll do what’s necessary for the township and what my fellow council members ask me to do,” he said.
