Morris Township budget brings bit of relief for some taxpayers

The $35.2 million 2016 budget falls within the state spending cap, said Morris Township Administrator Tim Quinn. Image: Friends of Televised Access in Morris Township.
The $35.2 million 2016 budget falls within the state spending cap, said Morris Township Administrator Tim Quinn. Image: Friends of Televised Access in Morris Township.
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Video playlist: Morris Township 2016 budget hearing

By Peggy Carroll

Property taxes are the number one headache for New Jersey taxpayers. But in Morris Township, homeowners are getting a bit of relief – even if it is only a baby aspirin.

The newly adopted 2016 municipal budget will give the owner of the average township house – assessed at $560,000 –  a reduction of $45 to $60 on the municipal side of the budget.

The $35.2 million 2016 budget falls within the state spending cap, said Morris Township Administrator Tim Quinn.  Image: Friends of Televised Access in Morris Township.
The $35.2 million 2016 budget falls within the state spending cap, said Morris Township Administrator Tim Quinn. Image: Friends of Televised Access in Morris Township.

Township Administrator Timothy Quinn said the $35.2 million budget is $400,000 less than in 2015. And so is the amount to be raised by local taxes – down to $22.2 million from $22.5 million in 2015.

This budget falls well under the state-mandate 2 percent spending cap — while projecting a $4.9 million surplus for a rainy day.

“We are in very, very healthy shape,” said Mayor Dan Caffrey.

Quinn said the priorities were to be fiscally responsible, maintain and increase services, and strengthen and maintain infrastructure. That means paving the roads and keeping township buildings and facilities in good order.

“We can pay now, “ he said, “or we can pay more later.” Staying a step ahead of the game, he noted, reduces overall costs.

Video Segments, Courtesy of Friends of Televised Access in Morris Township

  1. Administrator presentation.

  2. Administrator presentation, continued.

  3. Questions, comments from Committee members Johnson, Sisler, Nunn

  4. Questions, comments from Deputy Mayor Mancuso, Mayor Caffrey

  5. Questions, comments from public

  6. Committee vote on budget

At last week’s Township Committee meeting, Quinn outlined areas where money will be spent – and their sources of revenue. He also spelled out challenges to controlling costs, especially in areas the township does not control.

Among the highlights:

Appropriations

Salaries for 172 full time and 134 part-time employees (the staff size remains unchanged from last year): $13,373497, up by $214,000.
Other operating expenses: $10,547,496
Capital improvements: $497,570, up from $167,720
Deferred charges: $4,297,425
Debt Service: $2,955,698— down by more than a $1 million from last year.
Reserve for uncollected taxes: $3.6 million, down by $22,000.

Revenues

Local taxes: $22,513,283
Local library tax:$1,639,340
Open space tax: $105,238

Quinn said the Township always looks for ways to trim costs while not cutting services or the people who deliver them.

For example, he said, it has found savings by sharing services with other area municipalities. Two years ago, it formed a joint court system with Madison, Chatham, Chatham Township and Harding Township, an arrangement that has reduced expenses by $150,000.

It also operates the library with Morristown, has sewer contracts with some of its neighbors, takes part in the Morris County police dispatch services and partners with Hanover Township for health services.

The Township will save $800,000 in health care costs this year as municipal employees shoulder a greater share of the insurance bill.

Morris Township Committee members listen to 2016 budget presentation by Administrator Tim Quinn. Image: Friends of Televised Access in Morris Township
Morris Township Committee members listen to 2016 budget presentation by Administrator Tim Quinn. Image: Friends of Televised Access in Morris Township

Fixing What’s Broken

And Caffrey said the Township looks to fix things that aren’t working.

For example, the recycling market has fallen dramatically. Where once the program brought in $300,000 annually, it now delivers only $25,000. And the Township still has the costs of running it.

So the municipality is introducing an automated collection service, much like the one already in effect for garbage. Residents will be able to use one container for all their recyclables – from glass to cardboard — with no need to separate them out.

By making this easier, the mayor said, it is hoped more residents will be willing to recycle instead of tossing everything in the trash. And that, he said, will save money by cutting down on the amount of garbage – and “tipping fees” — the Township must pay for dumping it.

Caffrey said the new service should be ready to roll out by the fall of 2017.

Commercial ratables, now stable at about $800 million, are expected to rise as new projects are developed. Meanwhile, the Township aims to improve existing services, such as its two swimming pools.

Budget worksheets show that pool revenue had dropped by more than $77,000 in the past two years. Both have been completely refurbished – the upgraded Streeter Pool re-opens at the end of June.

A new marketing plan will add events for kids and adults, in hopes of attracting more members, Caffrey said.

Beyond Local Control

One area of concern, the mayor said, is costs beyond the Township’s control.

These include pensions and programs mandated by the state. Pensions are growing by $44,000, and state mandates by $141.000.

At the same time, state aid has fallen, from nearly $5 million in 2007 to $3.2 million. Add to that the cost of employee medical insurance, which mounts by 8- to 10 percent annually.

Figuring Out the Taxes

Want to know what your property tax bill will be?

Remember to factor in Morris School District taxes – which constitute 60 per cent of the bill – and Morris County taxes, which account for another 15 percent.

(The average homeowner in the Township will pay an extra $19 this year in school taxes, according to the district.)

Also, Morris Township  just completed a revaluation, its first in 15 years. That has upped the value of the average house from $392,000 to $560,000.

Those whose property is assessed at less than the magic “average” house will have a lower bill. If the assessment is higher, the tax will be higher.

For those owning the “average” house, the projected tax bill (at a rate of $1.779 ) will be $2,396 for municipal costs, $1,380 for the county, $5,995 for schools, $11 for open space and $175 for the library, for a total of $9,957.

Committeewoman Louise Johnson gave a formula for residents who don’t want to wait until the new bills go out this summer.

Find the assessed valuation (sent out by post card last fall), multiply it by 1.779 and divide it by 1,000  100.

1 COMMENT

  1. Excellent article, Peggy! That you so much for your coverage or this important but sometimes tricky subject. I would like to correct an error that I made in the final sentence. The product of the new assessed value x 1.779 should be divided by 100 (not 1000). I misspoke in the Township Committee meeting and wanted to be sure residents had correct information. Many Thanks again. Louise

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