For Immediate Release – April 20, 2018
MIDDLETOWN – The Township Committee adopted a municipal budget this week that reflects an ongoing commitment to hold a tight rein on spending.
Key drivers to the budget this year include several hundred thousand dollars in healthcare savings due to innovative changes to the Township healthcare programs, shared services agreements with other municipalities, and governmental agencies and operational savings in snow removal costs.
“This year’s budget supports our belief that we can protect the quality of core government services, while still cutting costs,” said Mayor Stephanie C. Murray.
Your tax bill funds three distinct budgets: the school budget, the county budget, and the Township’s municipal budget. “We are very proud that this is the second year in a row that we’ve been able to give our residents a zero percent municipal tax increase, despite the rising costs of approximately $2.3 million from pensions and other obligations,” stated Mayor Murray. “Additionally, more than 10 of our departments were able to reduce costs in operational expenses.”
While the township only has oversight over the municipal budget, Middletown Township is responsible for collecting and distributing the taxes for all taxing entities.
Visit middletownnj.org/budget for more information.
Key Budget Facts:
- The 2018 budget includes the $5.6 million for solid waste that was not part of 2017’s municipal levy. The 2017 budget had a separate special tax for solid waste that has been eliminated with this 2018 budget.
- State-mandated pension costs increased approximately $650,000.
- Vehicle fleet maintenance increased $266,000.
- Park maintenance increased $85,000.
- Based on the budgeted amount, insurance costs, primarily health insurance, have decreased $535,000 or 5.6%.
- The Township continues to realize savings through a variety of revenue-enhancing shared service agreements with other municipalities (including Fair Haven, Hazlet, Highlands and Holmdel), the Middletown Board of Education, and Monmouth County. The shared service agreement with Monmouth County for dispatch services and road repairs and improvements also continues to be a cost savings.
- Legal fees decreased $165,000.
- The 2018 proposed municipal budget is well below the state-mandated levy cap and remains in full conformance with the state levy cap law.
- The Township budget makes up approximately 21% of the average property tax bill. The remaining portion relates to the school and County tax levies.
- On average, Middletown Township’s annual tax levy increases have been minimal and among the lowest in Monmouth County over the last decade.
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