Amendment To Gloucester Twp.'s Proposed Budget To Be Considered

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — Gloucester Township Council will consider a resolution to amend its proposed budget when it meets Monday night. There will also be a public hearing and final vote on the proposed budget at the June 8 meeting, which begins at 7:30 p.m.

During the portion of the agenda that states council will amend the budget proposal, it reads “pending state approval,” and no additional information was included.

Last month, council unanimously approved a proposed $67,378,269.44 budget that includes a tax increase amid massive unemployment nationwide related to the coronavirus.

According to numbers provided by the township, the average Gloucester Township homeowner would see a total increase of $157.13 and a local increase of $203.51 in taxes annually if the proposed budget is passed.

In terms of cents, Business Administrator Tom Cardis has said the municipal increase will be 8.4 cents, with a penny on the tax rate equalling about $443,000. Read more here: Tax Increase Proposed In Gloucester Township Amid Pandemic

But that proposal has been met with anger from residents, who called the proposed tax hike an "absolute disgrace" and questioned how residents can be asked to pay even more in taxes at a time when many residents are taking pay cuts and their families are going hungry.

Council President Orlando Mercado said council would form a subcommittee to discuss possible changes to the budget. Read more here: Proposed Tax Hike In Gloucester Township Meets With Public Outcry

The meeting will stream live on YouTube, and residents will have the chance to participate by calling in so they can adhere to social distancing guidelines and the governor’s executive order about large public gatherings due to coronavirus.

For more information on how to call in and to view the full agenda, visit the township’s website.