Residents Could See a $41 Increase in Taxes

The township’s committee introduced a budget Monday night that would see a $41 increase in municipal taxes for the average assessed home.

The impact on the tax rate is about 1.4¢ per $100 of assessed home value. The average home is assessed at $295,000 in Cinnaminson.

The value dropped about $2,000 from last year and Administrator Gerald Seneski said it’s due to appeals.

“There’s been a lot of appeals for certain residential and commercial,” Seneski said. “Big enough to bring the average down about $2,000.”

Pensions were the biggest part of the budget, Seneski said.

“Costs are going through the roof,” he said.

Salaries make up about 60 percent of the budget. The township suffered two staff layoffs last year, but is not anticipating any for this year.

“However, we’ve anticipated the same revenue figure for state aid as we received last year,” Seneski said.

Those numbers for state aid are not available just yet; the governor will introduce the state budget later this month. Mayor Kathy Fitzpatrick said she thinks this budget will remain intact, assuming the township receives the state aid expected.

"Every year the budget is very difficult and this year is no different," Fitzpatrick said. "This committee remains committed to providing the same level of service to our residents while living in our means."

The administrator said the budget is very similar to the one adopted in 2008.

“Spending has been under control over the years,” Seneski said. “Revenue has been the problem. Available surplus has been less each year as a result of revenues shrinking. That’s where we’ve been struggling.”

The budget, proposed at about $12.2 million, is within the 2 percent cap, a new levy that went into effect this year. Counties and local governments now can only raise taxes 2 percent instead of 4 percent. Pension increases are not included in that increase.

A budget hearing is set for 7:30 p.m., March 21, at the municipal building. There, the fire district and school board have been invited to make public budget presentations, too.