Gloucester Township Approves Budget, Holds The Line On Taxes (2024)

Gloucester Township Council gave final approval to the proposed $69,074,204.92 budget Monday night.

Posted Fri, May 14, 2021 at 9:54 am ET

But critics remained critical of recent township tax increases, while one councilman said he expected there would be no increase in next year’s budget either.

The tax rate remains unchanged $53,333,030.92 to be collected through taxation, according to a copy of the proposed budget provided to Patch.

But some residents argued that after a 9.75 percent tax increase last year, holding the line this year means taxes are still higher than they were previously. Read more here: Amended Tax Hike Approved In Gloucester Township

Resident Ray Polidoro said the township raises taxes in even numbered years, so the township can expect another increase next year.

“I am confident we will have another zero next year,” Councilman Dan Hutchison said. “And if we do, will you say congratulations? There’s nothing I could ever do to satisfy you.”

“You could reduce taxes and cut spending,” Polidoro said. “You couldn’t fathom reducing taxes. It never even crosses your mind.”

Hutchison said he wouldn’t want to see the township pull an “election year stunt” by reducing taxes, only to have to increase them again next year.

Resident Pete Heinbaugh said the township overborrows to cover costs, which in turn raises taxes on residents. Business Administrator Tom Cardis said he borrows exactly what he needs, and doesn’t want to put the township in a position where they’re caught off guard and can’t cover costs.

“For salaries and wages, you overbudgeted by $1 million last year,” Heinbaugh said. “You took that number that you budgeted and added to it. Is council comfortable with that?”

“We are presenting a budget that has a zero increase for 2021,” Council President Orlando Mercado said. “I am comfortable with this budget.”

This year's proposed budget lists a surplus of $3,180,000, an increase of $420,000. The township anticipates $7,054,715 in revenues (a $1,331,482.50 increase), and $5,106,459 in state aid, as well as $4,514,607,300 in ratables and $400,000 in delinquent taxes.

The total increase in revenues is expected to be $173,152.13, while appropriations are expected to increase by $178,152.13.

Salaries and wages are expected to increase $27,085,695 to $27,834,269. "Other expenses" are also expected to increase from $22,063,224 to $23,076,796.

Statutory and deferred charges are expected to go up by $544,395 from $8,027,667 to $8,572,062. Debt service would decrease by 3.07 percent, from $8,652,804 to $8,386,900 (a $(265,904 decrease).

Open space and local school taxes are expected to remain flat, while taxes from the Black Horse Pike Regional School District are expected to decline by 3.67 percent. County taxes are expected to increase by 3.43 percent.

Township Council previously passed a resolution to anticipate miscellaneous revenues for the upcoming budget using the three-year average of realized revenues from the prior three years. Specifics on the proposal can be found here.

It also previously approved a proposed ordinance to exceed the municipal budget appropriation limits and establish a cap bank. By approving the proposal, council allowed the township to increase its budget by 3.5 percent over last year's final appropriations and bank the excess as an appropriation.

The additional proposed increase amounts to $1,416,664.65, according to a copy of the proposal posted on the township's website. In all, the 3.5 percent increase amounts to $1,983,330.51. Read more here: Gloucester Township Council Approves Annual Budget Cap Proposal