Burlington County's Budget For 2022 Keeps Spending Flat

MOUNT HOLLY, NJ — The Burlington County Commissioners recently unanimously approved the 2022 budget for the county, a spending plan the commissioners said "continues to fund critical programs and services, while also maintaining the county’s status as the most affordable in the region."

Components of the $230.3 million budget include:

• keeping the county tax levy for government operations flat at $169.7 million, more than $6 million below what Burlington County is authorized to raise under the state’s 2% tax levy cap;
• keeping the county Library Tax levy at $11 million;
• returning the county’s Farmland and Open Space Tax to a rate of 2.5 cents for each $100 of assessed value (which is the equivalent of about $11 per household);
• maintaining the county’s annual support for Rowan College at Burlington County, the Burlington County Special Services School District and the Burlington County Institute of Technology; and
• supporting programs such as Meals on Wheels, the Housing Hub and the seniors nutrition program.

“Responsible government means being good stewards with our residents’ tax dollars, and this budget reflects sound fiscal management,” Burlington County Commissioner Director Dan O’Connell said. “It also reflects our county’s priorities and values, including a commitment to affordability and maintaining our residents’ quality of life through parks enhancements and the preservation of open space and farmland.”

The budget also calls for using $10 million of the County’s $27 million in remaining fund balance from 2021 and budgeting $7.47 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to offset other revenue losses spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite the ongoing challenges from the health crisis, Burlington County’s financial position remained strong, a press release said.

The county commissioners also believe the county will finish "this year with a healthy surplus," according to the press release. "Doing so safeguards the county from a prolonged economic downturn and contributes to its strong credit rating."

That strong rating also "saves Burlington County taxpayers thousands of dollars annually through lower interest and financing rates,” O’Connell added.

The commissioners also noted that Burlington County also has the lowest cost per resident of any New Jersey county at $367. Bergen was the next closest county at $469 per resident.

“We are proud that we are the lowest-cost county in New Jersey and 24% less than the next lowest. And we expect to continue to be in 2022,” Commissioner Felicia Hopson said.

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