Bernards Budget With Average $35 Tax Hike Up for Adoption

The proposed $35.14-million municipal budget for 2013 is due to be presented unchanged at Tuesday's Township Committee meeting and, if given final approval, would raise taxes by $35.26 this year on an average township home assessed at $587,553.65.

Township CFO Terri Johnson noted at a previous meeting that the actual impact on a particular township home will differ depending on how the assessment for that property has varied through the years. That can depend on what improvements were made to individual homes and other variables such as location, with The Hills holding its value, she noted.

The $35 increase includes financing for the Bernards Township Library and the municipal open space tax, Johnson said.

Assessments up from 2012, but still down from 2005

The average assessment on a township home is $577,394 in 2013, but still below $593,944 in the 2005 housing market, according to a document produced by the township.

The previous increases in municipal taxes on average homes was $62 in 2012, and $46 in 2011, according to township figures.

Looking back for eight years, some during which the township decreased taxes, the municipal tax rate would be up just slightly more than 1 cent per $100 of assessed property value since 2005 if the budget is approved on Tuesday, according to township figures. The actual municipal tax rate would increase this year from .242 to .244, Johnson said.

The municipal tax rate is only a portion of the total township property tax bill, which also includes school and Somerset County taxes.

A detailed presentation on the proposed 2013 municipal budget is on the Bernards Township website.

Rather than borrowing money by selling bonds, township officials have put aside funds in the planned 2013 municipal budget for such costs as a standing snow removal account and to put toward a $2.5 million capital improvements ordinance, also introduced on Tuesday, that includes repairs for 16 roads, truck investments and other major expenses.

However, that capital improvements ordinance also includes funds from the 2012 budget, said Township Administrator Bruce McArthur.

Roads due for resurfacing under proposed appropriation of capital funds

According to Township Engineer Tom Timko, the list of roads due for restoration as part of the capital appropriation include Knollcroft Road; Mine Brook Road from Church Street to Old Coach; Peachtree Road; Homestead Place; Linden Drive; Tamarisk Court; Dawn Drive; Hartley Lane; Doggett Court; Beacon Crest; and Cobble Lane.

McArthur said some of the projects would be coordinated with Bedminster.

The township also filed at application with the state Department of Transportation requesting $400,000 total for repaving Madisonville Road from Route 202 to North Maple Avenue and Pond Hill Road.

Johnson said the proposed budget, up from $35,070,746 in 2012, includes such increases as $335,000 for capital improvements, $100,000 toward part of the cost of reacting to and cleaning up after Hurricane Sandy, $100,000 more in insurance and health benefits costs, and $175,000 to replenish a snow removal budget that had been depleted by some severe winters.

The budget absorbs all those increases even while keeping the total tax levy increase to about $300,000, Johnson said in April.