The Shamong Township Committee adopted the 2014 budget at a work session meeting on Tuesday, May 27. The budget, totaling $2.6 million, saw a decrease of $157,600 from 2013.The amount to be raised by local taxation is $322,346 which will mean an increased tax rate of one cent per $100 of assessed valuation. This means an annual municipal tax increase for residents of $31 on a house assessed at the township average of just less than $308,000.
That number is based on the township’s levy only. At the school district’s public hearing on the budget, held April 29, the board of education adopted an operating budget of $14.6 million. That total meant an increase of $28.92 per $100,000 of a home’s assessed value.
The school’s budget revenue is made up of $4.2 million in state aid, a tax levy from township residents of $8.2 million, $43,489 in restricted revenue and a budgeted fund balance of $896,218. The district will also receive $210,032 in federal and state grants.
Tax increases have become a theme for those residing in Shamong this year as residents already found out that they will have to dig a little deeper in their pockets as a result of the Lenape Regional High School District’s 2014–2015 budget. A tax levy increase of 4.11 cents will result in an increase in regional school taxes of $123.48 on a home assessed at the township average.
A lack of state aid is most responsible for an increase, according to LRHSD superintendent Carol Birnbohm.
“Last year, our district received no increase in state aid, so even a modest increase is better than flat or reduced funding,” Birnbohm said about receiving an additional $140,440 in state aid.
Over the past 20 years, state aid has decreased from nearly 40 percent of the district’s budget in 1994–1995 to just 19 percent of the 2014–2015 budget.
“The long-term trend in reduced state funding has been a challenge,” Birnbohm said. “However, the district administration and board of education worked diligently to develop a budget that maintains all programs and activities, is less than the state budget cap and provides for federal- and state-mandated new positions.”
In other news:
• The committee also approved a reassessment program called the Monmouth Plan. Instead of a township-wide reassessment every five years, the plan would reassess 20 percent of properties each year on a continuing basis, starting in 2016. Shamong last had a reassessment in 2012.
• A bid for irrigation services for township recreation fields by A & T Sprinkler Systems of Sicklerville was approved. A fee schedule was established, based on usage.
• The annual recycling tonnage grant from Burlington County will be accepted, when offered in a few months. It will be smaller than usual, due to decreased tonnage picked up.
