Mullica budget raises taxes; no discussion despite split vote
The $5,509,005 budget represents a $176,025 increase over the 2008 budget and calls for an $84,390.94 hike in the tax levy, from $2,994,022 to $3,078,412.94.
The tax rate per $100 of assessed value will also climb 2 cents to $1.057. For a home assessed at $200,000, this will mean an annual increase of $40.
The committee discussed issues ranging from land sales to "public assembly" permits at length during the meeting. But when it came time to introduce the budget, the committee did not mention any of the pertinent figures, and a 3-2 vote on its introduction was not explained....Continue Reading
The only discussion about the budget at all was a conversation between Committeewoman Kathy Chasey and CFO Dawn Stollenwerk about when the public hearing and vote on the budget must be held.
Committeemen Michael St. Amour and Bernard Graebener, who both voted against introducing the budget, said they felt enough discussion on the budget took place during multiple budget workshops and they expected more time would be given to the topic during the public hearing.
"Mullica Township is in a much better position than other municipalities who depended on development to offset their budget in the past and are now facing difficulties," St. Amour said after the meeting. "It's a vicious circle that Mullica was lucky to steer clear of."
Mayor Janet Forman, a Republican, blamed St. Amour and Graebener, both Democrats, for the lack of discussion on the budget, claiming St. Amour and Graebener did not want the public to know "how they want to raise taxes instead of cut taxes."
Democratic Committeeman William Kennedy and Chasey, a Republican, both voted to introduce the budget.
St. Amour and Graebener said they voted against the budget due to the additional $114,000 in surplus funds that were used to control the tax rate and because they felt there was no sufficient discussion on areas to cut spending.
"Despite what the other side says, (ways to cut staffing expenses) were never mentioned," Graebener said. "They should have at least been discussed."
But Forman stood by the use of the additional surplus funds and the budget.
"We're getting hit on all sides, from Greater Egg, from our school district, from everywhere. I'm not blaming anyone, but we had to do something to cushion the blow for our taxpayers," she said. "We're comfortable with tapping into the surplus because we're confident it will bounce back and our land sales could help with that."
E-mail Robert Spahr: RSpahr@pressofac.com
Municipal budget
Breakdown20082009
Total budget$5,332,980$5,509,005
Tax rate per $100 of assessed value$1.037$1.057
Tax rate change by percent5.6%1.93%
Amount to be raised by taxes$2,994,022$3,078,412
Ratable base$288,706,046$291,229,785
Surplus funds applied to the budget$740,000$854,000
Remaining surplus$699,688$624,650
Tax bill for home assessed at $100,0001,037$1,057
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