Crest’s $25M Budget Brings Slight Tax-rate Hike

WILDWOOD CREST ─ Across the Wildwoods, municipalities have begun introducing their budgets for 2019. As Wildwood Crest continues forging its identity and implements new projects, i.e., sanitary sewer master plan, redeveloping New Jersey Avenue business district, and Sunset Lake stabilization, the administration is seeking “to do more with less,” as stated by Mayor Don Cabrera.
In a joint interview with Cabrera and Chief Financial Officer Francine Springer, the Herald learned of the Crest’s financial course in 2019.
According to Cabrera, borough residents will face half a cent tax rate increase due to “general costs.”
Cabrera clarified “general costs,” saying the Crest, like other municipalities across the nation, must “keep up” with debt services, pensions, and other factors.
However, Cabrera added that the borough’s “very strong surplus” is growing. Remaining funds from the previous year are “put back” in the upcoming budget.
Cabrera referred to the surplus as a “savings account” for the borough. The mayor expressed pleasure at the reallocated monies.
The budget for 2019 is $25 million, creating an increase of over $800,000 from 2018. Approximately $15.6 million will be raised in taxes. Grants and other programs will probably fill the remaining portion.
Springer said that over $6 million will be in surplus after taxes. For 2019, the municipal portion of the borough’s tax rate is $.67 per $100 of assessed value. According to Springer, the average Crest home valued at approximately $400,000 will see an increase of $20.19 in its municipal tax bill.
Another source of savings, according to Cabrera, is shared services agreements with neighboring communities. As the Crest transitions to county central dispatch, Commissioner David Thompson, in a Jan. 11 interview, said residents can expect an approximately $100,000 in savings. 
With an advanced 911 system, central dispatch will ensure updates to existing equipment, such as radios. Technological innovations allow dispatchers to quickly look up locations in a map search service via computer.
Cabrera continued, reflecting on the Crest entering an agreement with Wildwood regarding beach boxes. Instead of paying to run beach concessions, Wildwood will oversee the operations while the borough will provide amenities to beachgoers.
“Wildwood Crest is on a good course,” Cabrera said. Stable financing depends on “good planning and good balance,” he continued.
Doing more with less may sound like a cliché, but for the borough it is reality, he said; providing services and amenities for residents while keeping costs in check creates challenges.
The sanitary sewer master plan was budgeted in 2018 and Cabrera said the administration will pursue further grants as they become available.
To contact Rachel Rogish, email rrogish@cmcherald.com.