Thursday, March 29, 2012
The spending plan calls for a .98 percent hike in the tax levy over last year, eliminating the need for a vote at the polls.
The $149.7 million 2012-13 Middletown schools budget has been approved and there will be no vote on it at the election polls this year. A resolution has been passed sanctioning the “final proposed” spending plan with a tax levy of $125 million. And as long as the plan passes muster with the county’s executive superintendent of schools, no more action will be needed. Legislation that was signed by Gov. Chris Christie earlier this year allows schools to forego the April elections and budget votes, providing the spending plans are capped at a 2 percent hike over the prior year’s. Because the Middletown district opted to go with the state option and keep its budget under the 2 percent cap, the state says there is no need to put it to a public …
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Officials call the increase the lowest in more than 10 years
Touted by officials as the tightest budget in more than a decade, Middletown’s 2012 $63.5 million municipal spending plan was introduced at last night’s Township Committee meeting, calling for no layoffs this year and a $43 annual hike on the average taxpayer’s bill. With a tax levy of $47.6 million, the budget represents a 1.97 percent tax levy increase over last year’s $46.7 million, or an increase of $919,079, just under the state-mandated 2 percent cap. The average property value in the township is $380,000, or what the $43 annual municipal tax payment increase is based on. It translates into $3.57 a month. “This budget is the result of a collaborative effort of all (township) department heads, administration, input from the committee …
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Budget means average schools tax hike of $46 a year for average taxpayer
Middletown Superintendent of Schools William George is spreading what he calls some good budget news for both the district and taxpayers. The tentative 2012-13 $149.7 million spending plan, with a tax levy of $125 million, has been approved. It’s well within the state-mandated 2 percent cap and state aid is up by $851,011 from last year, with this year’s figure at $17,484,212, up from last year’s $16,633,190. The increase in the tax levy represents a .98 percent tax levy hike, or roughly $1.3 million below the 2 percent state cap. The general operating budget is staying almost exactly level from last year’s $145.7 million and last year’s tax levy of $123.8 million, or a 2.6 percent increase from last year, what George says is the lowest …
Elaine Van Develde
12:15 pm on Saturday, March 31, 2012
You are correct, Patty. If the budget exceeded the 2 percent cap, a question would be put on the November ballot. And, yes, this is the lowest increase in a long time. more ›