Politics & Government

Burlington County Proposes Budget with Lower Taxes, Major Cuts

The county said it is significantly reducing spending in more than a dozen departments.

A budget proposed by Burlington County freeholders would slightly lower the county tax rate and cut spending by more than $4 million. 

The $216.9 million budget was presented this week by Freeholder Director Bruce Garganio. The proposed budget comes about a month after the county notified 37 of its employees that they will be laid off this month.  

The budget for fiscal year 2011-12 would significantly cut spending in more than a dozen county departments and reduce overall spending by $4.3 million. Under the proposed budget, the county tax rate would drop from 30.99¢ to 30.96¢ per $100 of equalized valuations. Equalized valuation is determined by dividing the assessed value of property by an equalization ratio used to ensure that all municipalities pay their fair share of county taxes. 

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County taxes are separate from local and municipal tax levies. 

Burlington County has cut $8.5 million in taxes since 2007, county officials said. Spending has been reduced by $9.6 million during the same period.

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“These multi-million dollar decreases come at a time when county taxpayers need it most,” Garganio said in a statement. “This is reflective of all the cuts and consolidations that have been made, and frankly, we’re not done yet. Rest assured that all the county’s core programs and services remain in place.

“The cumulative total of tax and spending cuts over the last four years should send a strong message that we are serious about reining in the cost of government. We realize we have an obligation to our residents who are still struggling to find employment and pay the rent or mortgage.” 

Garganio said the county had to overcome an initial budget shortfall of $5.8 million for this year, resulting from a loss of nearly $1.9 billion in ratables, or taxable properties, in the county. Burlington County now has just over $50 billion in ratables. 

The budget falls below the 2 percent cap on yearly property tax increases imposed by Gov. Chris Christie. The amount the county will raise through taxes in the budget is $12.4 million less than allowed under the cap, county officials said. 

Garganio noted that more than 300 staff positions have been eliminated since January 2008, through layoffs and attrition, and that 165 vehicles from a county fleet of more than 650 have been taken out of service.

The budget will be introduced during the freeholders' meeting  7 p.m., May 11 at the county administration building, 49 Rancocas Rd., Mount Holly. A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for 7 p.m., June 8. 

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