Unofficial results show that 215 residents voted to approve the budget
Cinnaminson voters approved the Cinnaminson Fire Department’s 2017 budget on Feb. 18, according to unofficial election results.
The department reports that 215 residents voted to approve the budget, while 105 residents voted against it. Incumbent fire commissioner Harry Smith III was re-elected for another term with 262 votes.
“The support from today was overwhelming and greatly appreciated,” the department said via Facebook.
Cinnaminson Fire Department is a combination department, meaning it is made up of both career and volunteer members. The total budget for 2017 is $3,645,458. The total amount to be raised through taxes is $3,014,200. The rest of the funds will be covered by grants, interest, the United States Fire Administration and 2016 budget surplus, according to a department budget presentation.
Until 2014, the Board of Fire Commissioners had six consecutive budgets with no tax increase. The department maintained this by selling outdated equipment, obtaining grants and implementing efficiencies, Kramer said. Due to a reduction in the surplus to offset rising costs, the budgets started to increase incrementally in 2015. This year, the budget will increase 3.7 percent.
“This 3.7 percent increase might sound like a lot, but it actually works out to about $17 per year for the average homeowner,” Kramer said. This number is based off of the average assessed home value in Cinnaminson of $232,200.
