COURT HOUSE – At the regular meeting of the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders Jan. 26, the 2016 County Budget was introduced to the public. In introducing the Budget, Freeholder Director Gerald M. Thornton, highlighted the spending plan, focusing on the need for tighter security in county buildings, including the courts and community college.
Thornton credited his colleagues on the Freeholder Board, the Budget Committee and Department Heads for preparing a budget that provides effective and efficient government services that remains affordable to the taxpayers of Cape May County.
Increased revenue generated by the Sheriff, County Clerk and Surrogate’s Office help to offset increases costs, keeping the 2016 budget with the CAP. “This year’s budget has a tax rate increase of less than ½ cent. Cape May County’s tax rate is the lowest in the State of New Jersey”, Thornton said.
The County equalized tax rate for 2016 will be .218 cents per $100 of assessed value. The amount of money to be raised by property taxes to support the 2016 budget is $103.7million compared to $101.0 million for the year 2015. The amount of revenue other than property tax used to support the budget is $47.4 million.
The budget uses approximately 52 % of our surplus. Specifically – $9.65 million of the available $18.6 million.
“Although the county rate can vary depending on the ratio of assessed value to true value in each of the County’s sixteen municipalities, an average taxpayer will pay $218 for $100,000 of property assessment. The Total County Budget for the Year 2016 is $151.1 million compared to the adopted 2015 Budget of $142.2 million. The increase in this budget reflects the operating costs generated by moving Social Services under county government, and will not impact the county taxpayers. The costs for Social Services will be offset by Federal and State funds. This change will allow for more oversight and improved efficiency as a county department”, Thornton reported.
The Public Hearing on the Budget will be held at 7 p.m. March 8, 2016 in the Freeholders’ Meeting Room at the County Administration Building. Public comment and recommendations are welcome. The budget document will be available at the Office of the Clerk of the Board at the Administration Building, and accessible on the county website at www.capemaycountynj.gov/Archive.aspx?AMID=36.
Sea Isle City – I miss the Nativity scene they used to display outside the historic St. Joseph’s church on Landis Avenue! It was a true reminder of the reason for the season!
