For Immediate Release – April 2, 2019
MIDDLETOWN, NJ – The Middletown Township Committee introduced its $79.9 million budget at the April 1st Township Committee meeting. The proposed municipal budget reduces the tax rate from .489 in 2018 to .476, a 2.66% decrease.
The proposed 2019 municipal budget includes additional funding for more than 70 parks that span across Middletown’s 16 neighborhoods, as well as an increase of $470,000 to the Capital Improvement Fund, which requires no debt, that will provide the town the ability to complete more capital projects. It also covers the approximate 3.5% increase to maintain and improve the Township’s 375 miles of roads.
“While Trenton continues to shift its unfunded mandates and financial problems onto municipalities, the Township Committee and I are committed to putting taxpayers first,” said Mayor Tony Perry. “State-mandated pension costs increased approximately $500,000 and the continual siphoning of the energy receipts tax denies Middletown nearly $5.5 million in what could be immediate tax relief.”
Approximately 63% of households will see a $25 or less increase in their tax bill this year, while 51% of household will have a 0% increase or see a reduction in taxes. In an effort for residents to gain a greater understanding of where their tax dollars are being spent, the Township will soon be releasing a “Tax Dollar Receipt” calculator on the website that will provide a way for residents to see penny for penny where their tax dollars go.
Key Budget Facts:
- 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. In 2019, the Township entered into a new Shared Service Agreement with Highlands for building and construction related services that we help offset costs approximately $75,000 in that department;
- Healthy reserves have permitted the Township to reduce the budget lines for Storm Response and Accumulated Leave by a total of $450,000;
- Workers Compensation decreased $300,000 due to a consistent decrease in claims paid over the past few years;
- Solid Waste and Recycling increased $410,000 due to an increase in tipping fees;
- The 2019 proposed municipal budget is well below the state-mandated levy cap ($1.6m) and remains in full conformance with the state appropriation and levy cap laws;
- The Township budget makes up approximately 21% of the average property tax bill. The remaining portion primarily 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.