WILDWOOD CREST – The Wildwood Crest Board of Commissioners approved the 2018 $23.9-million budget that includes a one-cent increase in the local purpose tax rate to .671 cents per $100,000 of assessed value. The budget calls for $15.36-million to be raised through taxes. Michael Garcia of the accounting firm of Ford-Scott Associates explained that this tax increase is due to a $200,000 increase in salaries, $85,000 in health care costs, and $41,000 in pension contributions. The borough remains below the state-mandated municipal spending cap. Garcia pointed out that the county Municipal Utilities Authority reduced the borough’s water/sewer rate by 80 cents which may help offset this tax increase, depending on water usage.
