Montclair Council OK’s 2018 Town Budget: More Taxes, Spending

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The Montclair Township Council unanimously adopted the 2018 municipal budget during the March 20 council meeting, approving a municipal tax increase that will come out to about $81 for the average homeowner.

This year's budget will see increased spending with a “minor corresponding tax rate increase” thanks to higher revenue streams that will help offset expenditures, Montclair town officials stated.

The residential municipal tax increase for an average Montclair home valued at $626,100 will be $81. The overall municipal tax increase of 1.85% is below the 2% statutory limit, officials said.

According to Montclair officials, the budget will allow for new expenses that include:

• Public Safety – “The 2018 budget calls for a $350,000 spending increase for additional police personnel – the department will add three officers to the current force of 109 for a total of 112 officers. An additional three dispatchers and five crossing guards will be hired. Contractual wage increases are also reflected in the budget. Funding is also included for the purchase of Segways which Police Community Services Unit officers use to better engage with the community and quickly and effectively respond to various situations.”
• Code Enforcement – “This year’s budget shows increased support for the township’s vacant property maintenance efforts ($70,000). Montclair adopted an aggressive program in 2015, requiring owners to register vacant properties and ensure they are aware of their responsibilities regarding these properties. Funding for 2018 will ensure the continued success of this program.”
• Department of Health and Human Services – “Funding has been allocated for an additional full-time nurse as well as for continued support for Senior Services programs.”
• Department of Community Services - “The budget shows increased funding for Bigbelly smart waste disposal units which have been installed throughout the township. Spending on tipping fees has also increased due to rate hikes. The budget sees similar increases in recycling costs.”
• Construction Permits – “The township seeks continued support for faster construction permit turnaround times with a significant increase in funding for additional personnel ($100,000).”
• Information Technology – “Significant increases are made for funding the township’s network infrastructure and security as well as general enhancements with new software purchases, equipment refurbishments and upgrades.”

Montclair officials said that the budget increases won’t result in a tax hike for multiple reasons:

• "Strong PILOT revenues"
• "A 10 to 15% increase in other revenues (fees, permits, etc.)"
• "Moving to the State Health Benefits Plan (SHBP)"
• "No increase in medical costs but a slight increase in prescription costs (outside of SHBP plan)"

The 2017 budget is in step with the town's "long-term debt management goals,” Montclair Mayor Jackson said.

“In October of 2017 we adopted a resolution setting our debt balance target for 2018 through 2023 and have actually beat our own 2018 target," Jackson said. "At the end of this year, we will be below the $170M mark – something once unimagined.”

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