Borough Formally Adopts 2011 Municipal Budget

A formal adoption of the 2011 municipal budget came during Monday evening's Collingswood Borough Commission meeting.

Commissioners adopted an amended version of their initial budget, which would bring the originally proposed $150 annual property tax increase to a $78 yearly increase.

The amended $78 increase applies to the borough's average assessed home value of $232,566.

Monday's adoption coincided with the rescinding of a police code ordinance amendment, originally approved when the borough could not come to a new contract negotiation with Collingswood's two police unions. 

But new contracts, which police unions submitted last month's commission meeting, have since been signed, said Maley. Contracts prevented a within the department.

"This (rescinding of the police code amendment) is in connection with the changes to our police department," said Maley Monday night. "Everything is necessitated by our budget. Before our last meeting, we reached an agreement concept with the police unions. But we held off these actions (rescinding) until those contracts were actually signed.

"We got the contracts signed this past Friday," said Maley. "So we're going to act here tonight, to rescind that ordinance (which would've demoted police department hierarchy)."

Both police unions, said Maley, have agreed to a zero percent salary increase, along with concessions to personal holiday time, uniform allowances, and in other areas. 

Under the new agreement, each of the two Fraternal Order of Police Unions within Collingswood Police Department—the Superiors and Patrolmen's unions—will be contracted through the middle of next year.

Maley said Monday's budget adoption—which was read by title only—came after  

"We've finally gotten the okay to approve our (2011 municipal) budget," said Maley Monday evening. "And in the budget, with its amendment, we've successfully been able to reduce our average $150 property tax increase to an average $78 increase.

"We're spending less, but still have to increase (taxes)," continued Maley. "We're not happy about it, but that's what we have to do."

The amended 2011 budget was approved by all commissioners during Monday's meeting.