News
In "Tough Budget Year," Sea Bright Taxes To Rise 2.4 Cents
By John Burton
SEA BRIGHT - With the restoration of a small portion of previously denied state aid, the municipal tax increase for 2009 is a little lower than officials first feared.
Under the budget adopted last Tuesday, property owners in town will see a 2.4 cent tax increase for every $100 of assessed property value.
The council voted 4-0 to endorse the proposed budget.
With this budget, the average taxpayer will pay an estimated additional $96 in property taxes for a home costing $375,000, the borough average, according to Long. When the council introduced its $4.7 million budget on April 15, Long said it would result in a 2.6 cent increase. At that time, Long and Mayor Maria Fernandes said they believed the budget was the best it could be as the municipality, like every community, faced reductions in state extraordinary aid and rising costs. This is the third year in a row the borough has reduced discretionary spending, Long said.
Earlier this year, Gov. Jon S. Corzine announced his intention to eliminate aid to municipalities with populations of less than 5,000, such as Sea Bright.
Long, who like Corzine, is a Democrat, said that was to address the Governor's agenda "of a forced consolidation,' for the smaller communities.
Since then the borough was informed it would get back a small portion of that aid. This year the community is expected to receive $9,726 from Trenton, which equates to 1/10 of a cent on the tax rate.
That is down from last year's $75,000, Long said.
