Middletown Introduces Budget That Calls For Tax Hike Of Less Than $20 A Year For Average Homeowner

The Middletown Township Committee on Monday introduced a more than $69 million budget that would raise taxes for the average homeowner by less than $20 a year.

The $69,437,316.70 budget was introduced with a 5-0 vote, according to Cindy Herrschaft, the township spokeswoman.

For homeowners, with houses assessed at the township average of $396,300, it would raise the municipal portion of their tax bills by about $1.57 a month, she said.

The proposed budget today reflects an almost “$1 million reduction in spending and a continuing commitment to provide core essential government services,’’ according to a township news release.

“The proposed budget represents an ongoing commitment to protect the quality of core, essential government services such as law enforcement, snow removal, and building inspection,” Mayor Stephanie Murray said in a prepared statement. “We will continue to explore ways to further minimize costs and maximize revenues.”

The proposed tax levy would increase by less than 1 percent, the news release said.

The news release listed budget facts:

• Township revenues, which include parking permits and court fees, decreased by $1,514,783 million compared to 2014.

• To date, snow removal costs for 2015 are $1,268,500. 

• Insurance costs have increased $600,000 or 6.5 percent.
• Overall utility costs are down by $223,000 - or 6.4 percent - a decrease that township officials attributed to grant-funded energy audits and upgrades to lighting and HVAC systems, as well as a cooperative natural gas and electric purchasing program.

The proposed budget is below the state-mandated levy cap, the news release said.

A public hearing and final vote is scheduled for April 30. The proposed budget can be viewed on the township’s website.