Township Council adopted a preliminary tax levy for fiscal year 2014 with no increase at the June 11 meeting, according to Bridget Palmer, township director of communications.
The preliminary levy will fund municipal services for the first six months of the new fiscal year, which begins July 1.
“My administration is in the process of developing our full budget for fiscal year 2014, and I am proud to say that we anticipate no increase in municipal taxes for the second consecutive year,” Mayor Chuck Cahn said in a township release. “Council and I remain committed to fiscal responsibility, and as we move forward, we will continue looking for ways to maximize the services we deliver, and to deliver them in the smartest, most efficient way possible.”
According to the release, state law requires that municipalities operating on a fiscal year basis certify a preliminary tax rate to calculate municipal taxes for the third- and fourth-quarter of the calendar year.
“The important thing to note is that it’s a preliminary levy that will cover municipal expenses for the first six months of the fiscal year,” Palmer said.
The council is currently working on the 2014 budget. Palmer expects the formal numbers to be released in August.
In other news:
The township took steps to revitalize two unused properties, Palmer said.
Council directed the township planning board to conduct a preliminary study to determine whether a 35-acre parcel known as the Victory Refrigeration Site and a 10-acre property on Route 70 referred to as the “OTB” site should be designated as areas in need of redevelopment. Such a designation would enable the township to redevelop the properties to help attract and retain new commercial tax ratables, a township release said.
“I envision transforming the Victory site into an economically viable and thriving world-class corporate campus fit for the 21st century,” Cahn said in the release. “This is an opportunity to grow the township’s commercial ratable base, solidify our thriving local economy and set a precedent for future growth.”
According to Palmer, based on the planning board’s findings and recommendations, council may designate all or a portion of each property as a redevelopment zone and move forward with developing a plan for the sites.
Residential development will not be included in the plans for either site.
Council also directed the planning board to evaluate a 10-acre parcel at the Garden State Park that was purchased a decade ago for use as an off-track betting facility, Palmer said.
Despite its highly visible location on Route 70, the site remains vacant and undeveloped.
“This is the gateway to Cherry Hill and an ideal location for a state-of-the-art commercial facility,” Cahn said in the release.
The next township council meeting is scheduled for June 25 at 7:30 p.m.
