Burlco Budget OK'd, Average Cinnaminson Bill Drops $41

Burlington County freeholders adopted the $216.9 million county budget Wednesday with a unanimous vote.

The spending plan cuts the average tax levy for the 21st consecutive year, and also reduces the amount of taxes collected by $5.9 million.

The countywide tax rate average for the coming year is 30.96¢ per $100 of assessed property value, compared to 30.99¢ in the 2010 budget.

With the equalized taxation, where each town pays a different tax rate, Cinnaminson residents will see a tax decrease. Cinnaminson is one of 34 towns countywide that has a decrease in the tax rate compared to last year. (Click on the PDFs to the side to see each Burlington County town’s tax rate and read the budget.)

The 2011 Cinnaminson tax rate is 30.23¢ per $100 of assessed property value, down from 31.63¢ in 2010. Residents with a home assessed at the township average of $295,000 will pay about $892 in county taxes, a $41 dip from last year.

Freeholder Director Bruce Garganio said the budget gives Burlington County the lowest per capita spending statewide at $483.45.

“The reductions come at a time when our taxpayers need it most,” Garganio said in a statement. “As we are all aware, many residents are still struggling to pay their mortgage or rent, and find employment that enables them to meet their other daily expenses.

“We’ve made significant cuts in more than a dozen county departments, but our core programs and services remain intact,” he added.

Garganio touted the freeholders’ ability to institute this budget, despite the county losing near $1.9 billion in property tax ratables, which now stand at $50 billion.

He also noted the county has made cost-cutting moves, such as eliminating more than 300 staff positions in the past three years and cutting 165 vehicles from the county’s 650-vehicle fleet.

At an earlier public hearing on the budget, one Mt. Holly resident questioned whether residents would feel continual cuts in the budget.

The budget vote was 4-0, with Freeholder Mary Anne Reinhart abstaining.