Mayor Lucas Introduces Decreased 2011 Township Budget

The Manalapan Township Committee heard comments and criticism from three residents before voting, 4-1, Wednesday to introduce a $31,235,600 budget for 2011-12, a decrease of $582,000. 

“These are real spending cuts that were made, not financial gimmicks,” said Mayor Andrew Lucas.  He said that the cuts represent a 1.83 percent decrease in spending from the current budget of $31, 818,000

Despite the decrease, resident Gloria Close questioned the township’s purchase of roadwork vehicles which totaled about $250,000. Close has addressed the issue at a previous meeting but her question was unanswered. She said she doesn’t understand why the township can’t set aside money for roadwork vehicles and repairs from its operating budget.

“You received 500 grants and somewhere along the line, if you look at those line items, I’m sure you will find some money to avoid borrowing,” said Close. She said she is concerned about Manalapan’s debt service ratio.

Mayor  Lucas later responded that bonding an item like roadwork is common government practice.

“Manalapan Township has one of the lowest debt service ratios for a town of its size meaning that we’ve been very responsible in not taking on and incurring too much debt,” said Lucas.

Deborah Smarth expressed unhappiness with an apparent lack of debate by members of the Committee, telling Deputy Mayor Ryan Green. “I don't see you taking any positions. It’s like everyone goes along with each other.”

Smarth  said she is against taxpayer subsidization of programs in the township, citing the recreation program as an example.

“We have to be much more reliant on user fees. We can’t have one part of the population, the majority, subsidize certain aspects that not everybody is using. So user fees are the way to go,” said Smarth.

Smarth also wants the Committee to uphold the public referendum on the school budget if it is voted down. “We’re hoping that when we say ‘no’, you say ‘no’. No negotiations. When we say reduce the budget you don’t give half of it back to them,” said Smarth.

“Enough is enough with the people of Manalapan in the state of New Jersey. We give our life line - our hard labor. We should be making sure we watch every dollar we spend. No gimmicks – true spending cuts,” concluded Smarth.

Mayor Lucas responded to Smarth’s concern about transparency and said that the 2011 budget will be online for public viewing. It is available through the township website, by clicking here. Lucas also announced that there will also be other town hall budget meetings before the budget adoption tentatively scheduled for May.

Resident Ted Linder said that he hopes that the township spends money only on what is necessary for essential services. “Anything else is nice to have,” said Lindner. “We shouldn’t be buying ‘nice to have’ in the current environment we have,” said Lindner.  

Lindner also expressed his concern about increasing taxes for services. He mentioned that Manalapan’s southern fire district will be levying an increased tax.

He also agreed with Smarth on user fees for the recreation programs and suggests the committee vote on ordinances to make sure the user fees will take effect with the budget.  

Lindner also talked about user fees in commuter lots; he thinks commuters could pay more to maintain the lots.

“Some of my money has to go to the spaces that I can’t use because someone has to die for you to get one of the permits for those spaces,” said Lindner.

Lucas said that Lindner’s suggestions “have good intentions”, and he would try to make sure the committee follows them.

Later in the meeting, Lucas introduced the details of the 2011 budget.

“I think what most of our residents want to here is the bottom line. And that simply is that the 2011 budget will have no tax levy increase this year,” said Lucas.

Lucas said that the 2011 amount to be raised by taxation is below the levy cap by over $775,000. The cash surplus used to balance the budget is $4.3 million, which represents $900,000 less than what was used last year. A $700,000 surplus remains unused in this budget and the tax rate stays the same at .332 cents per $100 evaluation.

According to Lucas, some of the major decreases in appropriations came from police salaries and wages made possible through agreements with the police unions. The cuts represent over $479,000.  The township's debt service has been reduced by over $144,000.

Lucas also announced that the township was mandated to increase spending on a few items.

“Of course we are very cognizant of the topics of pension reform and health benefits reform that have gone on at the state level, but they have not trickled down to the municipal level as of yet,” said Lucas. The budget calls for a $373,000 increase in pensions, a $114,000 increase in group insurance payments, and a $75,000 increase in gasoline spending.

Lucas reminded everyone that the budget is subject to change prior to adoption.

The budget introduction was passed in a 4-1 vote, with Committeewoman Michelle Roth disagreeing with the Mayor’s accounting on some items.

More information on Roth’s dissent will follow.

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