JACKSON – A vote to adopt this year’s municipal budget will take place at the Township Council’s April 26 meeting.
Township officials recently introduced a $54.6 million municipal budget for 2022, which features increased investments in police and public safety, roadwork and various community improvements.
A public hearing will take place during that meeting concerning the spending plan which reduces the municipal tax rate from .501 to .500. New investments are featured in the spending plan which will be offset with funds from the township’s $9.1 million surplus, enabling Jackson to make investments while also reducing the tax rate.
Mayor Michael Reina remarked that “balancing the need to invest in public safety, essential infrastructure and various community needs – like improvements to parks, playgrounds and fields – with responsible ways to fund such initiatives is always challenging.
“Over the past few years, the township has been fiscally prudent with its budget and, as a result, produced a substantial surplus. It’s this surplus that puts us in a strong position to make important investments, while keeping taxes flat,” the mayor added.
Business Administrator Terence Wall introduced the 2022 budget on behalf of the mayor, last month during a township council meeting. The spending plan is set at $54,656,782.70.
The township’s anticipated surplus for 2022 is $9,167,000. Over the past several years, the surplus fund has increased regularly through a combination of excess revenue generation and lower spending, Wall said. In 2021, township miscellaneous revenue exceeded the original budget by $2,552,615.12, largely due to increase in construction, or UCC fees; other fees and permits; and interest on investments and deposits.
The surplus increased further by additional unanticipated revenue of $1,227,210.61 from fees associated from the assignment of off-duty police officers; the Ocean County Cares Grant; rental registration; tax collection and rental of cell tower space.
Jackson spent less than required in its 2020 budget, generating another $2,713,521.35 for 2020 that lapsed into surplus savings.
Public Safety increases included additional police staff, professional accreditation services, vehicles, video and additional equipment.
Last year, road improvements included the completion of a Roadway Rating Report, a comprehensive assessment of all township-owned roadways for the purpose of assessing overall roadway conditions.
With the report’s completion, Jackson will initiate road improvement efforts throughout 2022, including efforts to improve and repair pavement, storm water drainage infrastructure, corner curb ramp accessibility and much more.
In 2021, the township completed an assessment of all turf field facilities owned by the municipality. In 2022, new turf is being installed at township-owned fields, along with various site component upgrades. Additional improvements to parks and playgrounds will be ongoing.
Wall explained during the budget presentation that municipal taxes represent just one portion of property tax bills paid by property owners in the township. While residents pay their taxes to the town, the town then divvies it up to the school district, county, etc.
Township estimates indicate the majority of property taxes, or approximately 56.35%, are used to fund the local school district. About 19.80% of property taxes fund the municipal government; 18.49% goes to the county government; 4.17% funds fire districts; and 1.19% of property tax bills is set aside for open space.
Residents can view a presentation with highlights of the 2022 budget by visiting jacksontwpnj.net.
