New Verona Budget Includes Steady Tax Rate, Raise for Borough Manager

Despite the reopening the 2012 Verona Borough budget, residents shouldn't expect a tax increase.

Officials after thorny issues such as a pay increase for the borough manager, unreliable accounting and budgeting practices, and revenue and expense discrepancies between a preliminary version of the budget and one passed in December.

Taxes remained steady in the new version of the budget, and borough manager Bonnie Conway is expected to receive a 20 percent raise.

Since voting to for discussion on Jan. 10, officials have argued over whether to give Conway a raise that amounts to a 22-percent increase, from a $27,040 salary in 2011 to a proposed $33,280 in 2012.

However, it seems officials have bumped that down to $32,440. Officials have said Conway has not received a raise in several years.

The current millage rate is 8.0 mills, meaning a resident pays $800 for every $100,000 of assesed property value.

Officials are expected to pass a final version of the budget at the Feb. 14 Verona Council meeting, which will be held at the at 7 p.m.