EMERSON—The Borough Council introduced a $14.5 million municipal budget on April 5 that includes a “very small” 2.7% increase over 2021’s budget, which is estimated to cost an average homeowner approximately $97 extra in yearly taxes
Copies of the budget are available from Borough Clerk Jane Dietsche and posted on the borough website. Questions from the public will be answered by the borough’s auditor and chief financial officer at the May 3 hearing, said the mayor.
Mayor Danielle DiPaola said the borough, like all towns, was required by New Jersey to introduce its annual budget no later than a public meeting closest to March 30.
The $14,475,538 municipal budget is approximately $29,691.32 over its 2% budget cap, according to the preliminary budget.
“This remains a living breathing document and we will continue to work on this number,” said DiPaola. “We plan to whittle away at the budget to adopt a budget with a tax increase of less than $97 which is currently proposed,” she added.
For the average home assessed at $443,000, local taxes will increase slightly over $8.00 monthly or about $97 yearly, “which is a very small 2.7% increase over last year,” DiPaola said.
The proposed 2022 budget shows $3.7 million for public safety (police); $2.5 million for public works (DPW); $1.3 million for insurance; $1.35 million for statutory expenses; $1.2 million for utilities and bulk purchases; $151,000 for landfill/solid waste disposal; and about $92,000 for parks and recreation, plus other expenses.
DiPaola thanked budget committee members including councilwoman Kelly Moore, councilman Michael Timmerman, CFO Lauren Roehrer and Administrator Rob Hermansen who “worked diligently in order to get this number and we will continue to do so.”