Post by robxr4ti on Apr 28, 2010 6:05:33 GMT -5
Where does it all end?
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The borough of Audubon presented plans for the 2010 municipal budget and tax levy, Tuesday night, along with a new ordinance to levy sewer fees to residents on a quarterly basis.
Commissioner and Director of Finance, Bill Gannon, presented a proposed $8,650,000 budget, which he said was down $64,000 from 2009. Gannon outlined items affecting planning this year: a state aid reduction to Audubon of about $214,000, annual pension contributions at $250,000, slowed tax collection in the borough requiring higher tax reserves for uncollected taxes and increased health insurance costs.
The proposed budget is for the maximum levy of 4%. The levy, with included costs for pension contributions and costs that are considered “cap exclusions” (fees that are allowed to be charged outside of the levy), will bring taxpayers an increase of $180 a year for the average home assessed at $210,000 in Audubon.
Gannon broke the increase out by saying that without the pension costs, loss of state aid and cap exclusions, the 4% levy would only be $40 a household. This was not received lightly by the audience. Gannon admitted that excluding pension contributions was not an option, thus the $180 increase remains.
Along with the $180 increase comes a new ordinance that reinstates the purpose of ‘renting’ sewer lines. Prior to the inception of the Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority (CCMUA) in the 1980s, the borough had charged a fee for use and maintenance of municipal sewer lines that direct waste to the county system. Resident fees to CCMUA pay for the use of the county lines, but do not contribute to local infrastructure use and upkeep.
As a result, Audubon residents will begin to see a separate sewer bill in the mail starting in the second quarter of 2010. Residential costs for the ordinance are set at $120 a year, billed quarterly at $30 a quarter.
Resident Pat Green addressed the mayor and commissioners concerning increased costs, which he estimated for 2010 at $374, based on the proposed levy of $180, plus the new sewer fee at $120, and the potential school board increase of $74. Green commented that his “belt was being pinched” by continued increases. He called upon the mayor and commissioners to consider cuts and commented that he thought more cuts could be seen in the school district, as well.
Jason Newcomb, a resident who attends commissioners meetings during the year, said that $374 [more in taxes and municipal fees] is “astronomical.” He asked, “What options have you looked at in terms of cutting services and reducing staff?”
Mayor John Ward commented on reductions the police department has seen over the past three years with the layoffs of three officers over the last three years. Also noted was the reduction of two construction officials and one public works position via attrition more recently.
Newcomb followed up his question by saying, “You [guys] were elected to make tough decisions including personnel. I need you guys to make difficult cuts. I don’t need a $374 bill.”
Gannon made an effort to explain that municipal services contribute to only 25% of the tax bill. He said that excluding the school increase “which we don’t control,” the municipality was only increasing resident costs by $25 a month for the average household. “$15 more a month in tax and $10 more a month in sewer fees.”
Other residents asked about how the shopping center contributes to the overall tax base, about past sales of a borough bus, and what acquisition monies were used for in the past.
Gannon and borough administrator Dave Taraschi commented on past practices of using “one hit funds” to offset or avoid annual tax increases, a practice that has left Audubon with no surplus funds and little option but to raise taxes or cut services it considers vital to the small town.
Unlike past years, the state is not expected to offer extraordinary aid. In its place, it may offer the most cash-strapped towns “transition aid” to wean them from dependence on that revenue.
A games of chance ordinance was adopted establishing a $30 a year fee for organizations wishing to hold raffles and other games of chance at events throughout the year.
Audubon resident and public servant Robert E. Phillips was honored by the borough for his support of youth programs in the community and his service to the American Legion as the state commander. Phillips is part of Amercian Legion Post #262. He received the recognition gratefully. - Copyright 2010 The Retrospect
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The borough of Audubon presented plans for the 2010 municipal budget and tax levy, Tuesday night, along with a new ordinance to levy sewer fees to residents on a quarterly basis.
Commissioner and Director of Finance, Bill Gannon, presented a proposed $8,650,000 budget, which he said was down $64,000 from 2009. Gannon outlined items affecting planning this year: a state aid reduction to Audubon of about $214,000, annual pension contributions at $250,000, slowed tax collection in the borough requiring higher tax reserves for uncollected taxes and increased health insurance costs.
The proposed budget is for the maximum levy of 4%. The levy, with included costs for pension contributions and costs that are considered “cap exclusions” (fees that are allowed to be charged outside of the levy), will bring taxpayers an increase of $180 a year for the average home assessed at $210,000 in Audubon.
Gannon broke the increase out by saying that without the pension costs, loss of state aid and cap exclusions, the 4% levy would only be $40 a household. This was not received lightly by the audience. Gannon admitted that excluding pension contributions was not an option, thus the $180 increase remains.
Along with the $180 increase comes a new ordinance that reinstates the purpose of ‘renting’ sewer lines. Prior to the inception of the Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority (CCMUA) in the 1980s, the borough had charged a fee for use and maintenance of municipal sewer lines that direct waste to the county system. Resident fees to CCMUA pay for the use of the county lines, but do not contribute to local infrastructure use and upkeep.
As a result, Audubon residents will begin to see a separate sewer bill in the mail starting in the second quarter of 2010. Residential costs for the ordinance are set at $120 a year, billed quarterly at $30 a quarter.
Resident Pat Green addressed the mayor and commissioners concerning increased costs, which he estimated for 2010 at $374, based on the proposed levy of $180, plus the new sewer fee at $120, and the potential school board increase of $74. Green commented that his “belt was being pinched” by continued increases. He called upon the mayor and commissioners to consider cuts and commented that he thought more cuts could be seen in the school district, as well.
Jason Newcomb, a resident who attends commissioners meetings during the year, said that $374 [more in taxes and municipal fees] is “astronomical.” He asked, “What options have you looked at in terms of cutting services and reducing staff?”
Mayor John Ward commented on reductions the police department has seen over the past three years with the layoffs of three officers over the last three years. Also noted was the reduction of two construction officials and one public works position via attrition more recently.
Newcomb followed up his question by saying, “You [guys] were elected to make tough decisions including personnel. I need you guys to make difficult cuts. I don’t need a $374 bill.”
Gannon made an effort to explain that municipal services contribute to only 25% of the tax bill. He said that excluding the school increase “which we don’t control,” the municipality was only increasing resident costs by $25 a month for the average household. “$15 more a month in tax and $10 more a month in sewer fees.”
Other residents asked about how the shopping center contributes to the overall tax base, about past sales of a borough bus, and what acquisition monies were used for in the past.
Gannon and borough administrator Dave Taraschi commented on past practices of using “one hit funds” to offset or avoid annual tax increases, a practice that has left Audubon with no surplus funds and little option but to raise taxes or cut services it considers vital to the small town.
Unlike past years, the state is not expected to offer extraordinary aid. In its place, it may offer the most cash-strapped towns “transition aid” to wean them from dependence on that revenue.
A games of chance ordinance was adopted establishing a $30 a year fee for organizations wishing to hold raffles and other games of chance at events throughout the year.
Audubon resident and public servant Robert E. Phillips was honored by the borough for his support of youth programs in the community and his service to the American Legion as the state commander. Phillips is part of Amercian Legion Post #262. He received the recognition gratefully. - Copyright 2010 The Retrospect
