Mt. Laurel Council adopted the 2014 municipal budget at last week’s meeting, but not before a lengthy discussion about the township’s open space tax.
The adopted budget saw no changes from the preliminary budget passed in March. Taxes will decrease $39.22 for the average assessed home of $236,952.
The budget passed by a vote of 4–1, with Councilman Jim Keenan voting no. Keenan didn’t express any issues with the municipal budget, but maintained his stance on decreasing the open space tax from eight cents to six cents.
With average property values increasing with Mt. Laurel’s revaluation last year, many homeowners will see a large increase in their open space tax bill.
Keenan proposed a plan to suspend two cents of the open space tax. He said 13 other municipalities have suspended open space tax without going to a referendum.
“Why don’t we, as a council, suspend the tax, suspend it by two cents without going to a referendum?” he asked.
Keenan said the average decrease in municipal taxes is being negated by the open space tax. If the open space tax rate remains at eight cents, the average taxpayer in Mt. Laurel would pay an additional $75.88 in open space tax.
Keenan said this increase could hurt some homeowners, especially lower-income residents and senior citizens.
“I’d like to help out anyone I can in the township,” he said.
Township solicitor Tyler Prime told council a referendum would be needed to change the open space tax.
Township manager Maureen Mitchell informed council the township would be unable to pay its open space debt in the future if the tax was lowered.
Mayor David D’Antonio shared those same feelings, saying it was imperative the township pays off its open space debt in a timely manner.
“We have a debt,” he said. “We have a significant debt that has to be paid off.”
Keenan said the township is taking in an additional $2.2 million in open space tax by keeping the rate at eight cents. However, Mitchell said the extra money is needed to pay off the debt.
Council said in future meetings they will discuss the possibility of lowering the open space tax. Deputy Mayor Irwin Edelson asked Mitchell to provide more information detailing the pros and cons of changing the tax.
“We need to know the numbers,” he said. “The people of Mt. Laurel need to know the numbers.”
Councilwoman Linda Bobo also said she is open to discuss the possibility of a referendum.
To have a referendum on the election ballot in November, a decision needs to be made by early August.
In other news:
• Council discussed applying for a Burlington County park grant to construct restrooms at Memorial Field. Mitchell said an application for the project was rejected due to issues with the MUA, but said many of those issues have been resolved. The township is applying for a maximum grant of $250,000.
• An ordinance on second reading will change the speed limit for the entire length of Sharp Road. The speed limit will change to 45 miles per hour after a request was made by Evesham Township to make the change. Previously, the road did not have a posted speed limit and the state’s statutory speed limit of 50 miles per hour applies to the road.
• The next Mt. Laurel Council meeting is scheduled for April 28 at 7 p.m. in the municipal courtroom.
