State Aid Stays Flat for Cinnaminson Budget

The is slated to receive the same amount of state aid as it did last year after numbers were released this week to municipalities in New Jersey.

Cinnaminson will receive nearly $2 million in state aid for its 2012-13 budget.

“With today’s budget, we’re happy to not have a cut,” said Gerry Seneski, township administrator.

As the budget was being prepared—which it still is at the moment—Seneski said he anticipated a flat budget.

“We didn’t think we’d get more or less,” said Mayor Don Brauckmann, who sits on the budget committee.

There are also no layoffs anticipated and no reduction in municipal services.

“We’re cutting back where we can,” Brauckmann said. “The cost of everything is still on the rise.”

The budget comes in under the state's mandated 2-percent cap.

The township will receive $1,920,745, the same exact figure as last year. and the average homeowner here, whose home is assessed at $295,000, saw a $41 tax increase for the year.

Property value decreased more than $16 million total last year because of various tax appeals and a decrease in ratables.

Tax bills are made up of taxes to the , county, , open space fund for the county, open space fund for the municipality and the county library. About 16 percent of a resident's tax bill goes to the municipal budget.

“Just as residents have tightened their belts, so have we, and we feel this budget is a reflection of that philosophy,” Brauckman said.

The municipal budget will be introduced during the next township meeting at 7:30 on Monday, March 5.

The public hearing is scheduled for April 16.