Westfield Passes Municipal Budget With No Tax Increase

WESTFIELD, NJ - There will be no municipal tax increase in Westfield in the 2019 budget that was passed Tuesday.

"I’m proud to remind everyone that we have introduced a budget with a zero percent municipal tax increase," Mayor Shelley Brindle said. "Which is the first time that’s happened in decades."

According to the initial budget presentation, there were three main objectives when it came to the budgeting process:

• Establish a 5-10 year roadmap for growth and smart development to increase ratables, diversify our tax base, and improve infrastructure, traffic, mobility and parks to create a vibrant, livable, and affordable town for residents of all ages and abilities
• Minimize tax burden on residents while investing in people, processes, and infrastructure to establish Westfield as a 21st Century Community
• Create a smarter, more efficient government over the long-term enabling us to "do more with less"

Councilman Davis Contract noted there was some discussion about the use of surplus dollars in the budget to accomplish all of this.

"This budget invests nearly $5 million of the current $14.5 million surplus, which still leaves the town with minimally a healthy $9.5 million surplus. Note that around $10 million is the level that our finance experts indicate is a healthy level to keep in a rainy day fund. Plus, it is highly likely that Westfield will generate incremental revenues this year beyond what the budget forecasts, which will create new surplus at the end of the year," he said. "Last year, the amount of new surplus created was $4.2 million. I worked on developing this budget as part of the Finance Committee and was very happy to vote “yes” on this budget."

The presentation also laid out five goals:

• Goal 1: Continue track record of strong fiscal management, with an emphasis on managing surplus, investing strategically, and improving cost efficiencies
• Goal 2: Continue to invest in technology and automation as a means to improve service and support growth without adding costs
• Goal 3: Modernize and upgrade critical Town assets to improve efficiencies and service
• Goal 4: Prioritize smart planning and redevelopment as Master Plan and Parks Plan come to fruition
• Goal 5: Expand efforts and opportunities to engage the community

According to Business Administrator Jim Gildea's initial presentation, which can be seen here, the owner of a home assessed at the town average of $795,159 would pay $16,730 in municipal taxes.

The presentation touted several highlights:

• Zero % Municipal Tax Increase in 2019
• Total revenues increase by 6%, total expenditures increase by 2.32%
• Fiscally smart use of surplus. Putting "savings" to work to stabilize the tax rate and continue to invest in the Town's future.
• Surplus balance retained at $9.5 million target

Those interested can view the slideshow presentation here and review the complete budget document sent to the County here.

Brindle said during Tuesday's meeting that the governing body was looking forward to passing the budget.

"So that we can begin working on the many technology, equipment and infrastructure improvements that it enables," Brindle said.

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