Burlington County Freeholder Director Kate Gibbs announced the adoption of the 2018 budget that cuts county property taxes close to three quarters of a million dollars.
Burlington County Freeholder Director Kate Gibbs announced that the Board of Chosen Freeholders has adopted a 2018 budget that cuts county property taxes close to three quarters of a million dollars, while maintaining and enhancing services provided to residents.
“Year after year, the Freeholder Board has a proud tradition of doing more with less and making Burlington County government the most fiscally responsible in the state of New Jersey,” said Freeholder Director Gibbs following the Board’s vote this evening. “While Trenton and most counties across the state continue to head in the wrong direction, I am proud that here in Burlington County we are providing property tax relief and keeping money where it belongs — in the pockets of our residents.”
Since 2008, the Freeholder Board has cut the total county property tax levy by close to $10 million, saving Burlington County residents a cumulative amount of more than $105 million. By comparison, all other counties in the state have had an average cumulative increase of $188 million during the same period.
The Freeholder Board has also remained committed to finding innovative, cost-effective ways to reduce government spending. With the 2018 budget, Burlington County is able to maintain the lowest annual cost per resident in the state at nearly half the amount of the statewide average.
“I am confident that our common-sense approach to managing county government like a household budget and investing in the programs that matter most, we will keep Burlington County affordable and improve the quality of life of our communities,” added Freeholder Director Gibbs, who noted recent figures show the county’s median household income rising and poverty rate declining. “I want Burlington County to continue to be a special place to live, work, start a family, and retire.”
Freeholder Director Gibbs announced that Burlington County is leading the way when it comes to enhancing the safety and security of the 21 public high schools in the county with a $20 million grant program that is the first of its kind in the state and a model for the nation.
Burlington County is the first and only county in New Jersey to provide 9–1–1 emergency dispatch services and recycling collection to every municipality at no cost, saving our towns approximately $100 million in the last five years.
In just the past year, the county’s Office on Aging distributed more than 109,000 meals to homebound seniors through the Meals on Wheels program; the county’s Veterans Office helped local veterans and their families obtain over $13.6 million in benefits; and, Burlington County was praised by the American Civil Liberties Union for having comprehensive Code Blue plans in place.
“As we are once again acting on our commitment to cutting property taxes, I will continue to seek opportunities to provide our residents with further relief,” concluded Freeholder Director Gibbs.
