No Tax Increase in this year's Haddonfield Borough Budget

Haddonfield’s three commissioners officially introduced the borough’s annual budget tonight at their regularly scheduled Board of Commissioners meeting. The $15.3 million spending plan will keep the local property tax rate frozen at the same level as 2013. Spending will remain nearly flat, with only a $16,000 increase.

“The municipal budget we are proposing is a fiscally conservative plan that enables us to freeze the municipal property tax rate while funding vital services,” stated Mayor Jeff Kasko, Commissioner of Revenue and Finance. “As a result of prudent fiscal decisions that have been made – including sharing costs, outsourcing services, limiting the growth in spending, improving the tax collection rate, and maintaining a healthy surplus – we are able to deliver what so many taxpayers have been waiting for; a responsible budget that does not increase property taxes.”

Planned expenditures total $15,338,269.75, of which $10,860.110.76 will be raised through property taxes. The average assessed property in town ($491,359) would have a $2,393 local tax burden – the same amount as 2013. This represents approximately 17 percent of the total property tax bill (the remaining 83 percent of taxes fund local public schools and county government). Other revenues collected by the borough, including the local open space tax, downtown business tax, and water/sewer utility fees, are budgeted separately from the borough’s municipal spending plan.

"The spending plan introduced tonight reflects the demands of providing municipal services while holding the line on property taxes," stated John Moscatelli, Deputy Mayor and Commissioner of Public Works. "It includes important investments in infrastructure and a responsible, forward-looking capital improvement plan."

The capital plan introduced with the municipal budget includes several million dollars for road improvements, facility repairs and upgrades, and new equipment. Borough staffing levels will remain the same, with the exception of one additional part-time employee in the Zoning and Construction office.

"I am pleased that we are able to continue providing essential programs and services at the same levels, especially public safety functions, that our residents have come to expect," added Neal Rochford, Commissioner of Public Safety. "It's a sensible budget that will serve the borough and its residents well."

The public hearing on the budget will be held at the regularly scheduled Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, May 13 at 7:30 p.m. In addition, Mayor Kasko will hold a more detailed budget briefing for all interested citizens on Thursday, May 8 at 7:30 p.m. in Borough Hall.

The budget message and summary, including a new table estimating the cost per household of selected borough services, is attached.

More information is available online by visiting www.HaddonfieldNJ.org.