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Ocean County Spending Is Up In 2007, But Tax Rate Is Down
OCEAN COUNTY - Ocean County's proposed 2007 budget comes with a decrease in the county's property tax rate and maintains essential county services and programs.
"We have sound fiscal policies in place that have allowed us to maintain a strong financial posi- tion," said Freeholder Director John P. Kelly. "This budget comes with a reduction in the county property tax rate and continues to fund all of those programs and services that provide numerous benefits to our residents."
Freeholder John C. Bartlett Jr., who serves as liaison to the county's department of finance, said the 2007 county property tax rate will be 25.5 cents per $100 of equalized property value down about 2.7 cents. A homeowner owning a $200,000 house will pay $510 in county property taxes under the new budget, a decrease of $54. "All the steps we have taken
have allowed us to reduce the
county's property tax rate each
year since 2001," Bartlett noted. "The county tax rate has been
reduced by almost 50 percent or by 22 cents (per $100 of equalized property value) in the last seven years."
"This county's finances are strong," Bartlett said. "And we have made provisions in the budget that, should our economy change, we have the flexibility to maintain our financial position without cutting programs or services."
The 2007 proposed spending package totals $343,968,091, up about 5.9 percent or $19.3 million. Bartlett added the amount to be raised by taxation in the new budget is $263,560,266, up about $12 million or 4.7 percent. "You can't reduce expenditures without cutting programs," Bartlett said. "This budget actually provides the funding for programs and services that would have been lost or reduced because of cuts in state and federal aid."
"This budget is produced within a framework that takes into account the county's rate of growth along with the rate of inflation," Bartlett said. "These are the financial parameters we live within." Bartlett noted that 11.3 percent of the amount to be raised by taxation is earmarked for education. "One dollar out of every $9 or almost $30 million has been appropriated to Ocean County College and the Ocean County Vocational-Technical School District," Bartlett said. "The county pays its share plus some when it comes to funding the college and vo-tech schools because the state does not meet its funding promises."
Kelly, who serves as director of law and public safety noted that the budget provides funds for 26 new positions, 24 of which are in the area of law enforcement. "Most of these new positions are in the prosecutor's office, sheriff's department and in corrections," Kelly said. "Most of them will be added to the county's anti-gang violence initiative."
Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari, who serves as chairman of senior services noted that the budget includes an additional $300,000 for the county's senior nutrition program, including its centerpiece of home delivered meals. "This program provides meals for about 2,800 residents, either in their homes or at nutrition sites," Vicari said. "We do not want any of our seniors relegated to a waiting list for this program."
The budget also includes funds for a host of capital projects including $1 million for the reconstruction of Long Beach Boulevard in Long Beach Township and Beach Haven; $1 million for the reconstruction of Route 571 from Stump Tavern Road to Route 528 in Jackson Township; $2 million for the reconstruction of Flint Road in South Toms River and $2.8 million for the reconstruction and resurfacing of Route 539 in Manchester and Plumstead townships.
"With more than 620 miles of county roads, we have one of the largest county road networks in this state," said Freeholder James F. Lacey, who serves as liaison to bridges and roads. "Each year, the county budget reflects this board's commitment in providing safe and well-maintained roads."
The budget includes about $50 million for road, bridge and other capital projects.
Freeholder Gerry P. Little said that the proposed spending package makes certain that those programs that provide services to the county's most vulnerable and needy residents are funded, including an additional $1.2 million for programs provided by the Ocean County Board of Social Services. "This budget makes certain that Human Services, the Board of Social Services, Veterans Services and all those programs that assist in improving the quality of life for some of our most vulnerable and needy residents are funded," Little said.
Bartlett said that the difference in the increases of the amount to be raised by taxation and the total budget is due to a $1 million increase in schedule C requests and grants and adding $2 million to capital projects. He said schedule C requests received by the county are part of the county's efforts to provide regionalized services to its municipalities. The county, under the program, provides services like roadwork at a reduced cost. He said this increase of $1 million in municipal requests will be returned to the county by participating towns.
The freeholders also will earmark $31 million of $54.9 million in surplus for the budget.
The budget was formally introduced by the board at their February 21 meeting and a public hearing on the spending package will be held during the March 21 meeting. Board meetings begin at 4 p.m. and are held in room 119 of the Ocean County Administration building, 101 Hooper Ave.
The preceding was a press release provided by the Ocean County Department of Public Affairs.
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