Avalon Council Introduces 2016 Municipal Budget

AVALON — The Avalon Borough Council formally introduced the 2016 municipal budget during its meeting on Wed., Feb. 24. The budget totals $26,895,616.12 and includes no increase in the municipal tax rate which will remain at 22.6 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.
“This is an outstanding budget message to deliver to the residents of Avalon,” said Mayor Martin Pagliughi. “Avalon is in a position to continue to pay down debt, finance virtually every capital improvement project without extra borrowing, and improve the level of services provided to our community while not increasing the municipal tax rate.”
The proposed increase in the current fund is $1,508,456.45. The spending plan uses an extra $1.21 million in surplus funding to pay cash for $3.25 million worth of capital improvement projects; only a few road projects planned for 2016 will not be paid in cash. Even with using additional surplus revenue, the anticipated fund balance at the end of the year will be approximately $3.68 million, which represents the same amount in 2015. Avalon has experienced an increase in revenue from special items and added tax revenue from an additional $60.43 million in ratables.
“I want to compliment the administration, Chief Financial Officer, and department heads in Avalon for their diligence with assisting us with presenting a very favorable budget for the Borough in 2016,” said Councilwoman Dr. Nancy Hudanich, who serves on the Avalon Council Finance Committee with Councilman Charles Covington. “This budget is responsible, funds necessary capital improvements, and manages debt.”
The Avalon Council Finance Committee met to discuss the 2016 budget before it was finalized by Mayor Pagliughi. The budget includes a $1.485 million Beach Utility Budget with no increase in beach fees collected in 2016. The Avalon Water and Sewer Budget totals $6.135 million, which includes a $3.231 million charge by the Cape May County Municipal Utilities Authority.
Councilmembers Covington and Hudanich will make a full budget presentation during the Avalon Council meeting scheduled for Wed., March 23 at 7:00 p.m. They will also present additional details regarding the budget at the Sat., March 12 meeting of the Avalon Home and Land Owners Association at the Avalon Senior Center, at 10:00am. For more, visit www.avalonboro.net.