North Wildwood Introduces $23.7 Million Spending Plan

NORTH WILDWOOD — If the city’s 2009 budget is approved, the tax rate will be 44.9 cents per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation, a 1.7-cent increase in the local purpose tax rate.
The $23.7 million spending plan was introduced Tuesday April 21 and a public hearing is scheduled Tuesday May 19 at 10 a.m.
The budget increase in North Wildwood is approximately $544,000, which represents a 2.35% increase over 2008.
“This municipal budget in North Wildwood may have been the most challenging spending document we’ve ever crafted”, said Henfey. “But the good news for taxpayers is that they will enjoy better city services while experiencing only a marginal increase in the local purpose tax rate”.
“It’s no secret that day to day expenses to operate city government go up every year, while assistance from the state of New Jersey continues to drop”, Henfey said. “Fortunately, through plenty of hard work by city council and countless hours working on the spending plan, the city is able to avoid a big tax hike, even in these difficult economic times”.
Henfey stated that there are four specific factors that lead to increased spending in city government in 2009: Pension payment, debt service, increases by the Cape May County MUA, and utilities. Those four line items represent an increase in spending of $565,400, with the Cape May County MUA accounting for $219,000 of additional expenses.
North Wildwood has been able to save $50,000 in 2009 through the Salary and Wage portion of the budget, even after all of the contractual increases were factored in. The city is experiencing a general reduction in its work force, partially by keeping some vacant positions unfilled. There will also be a consolidation of departments and/or job titles in 2009. 28 percent of all departments in North Wildwood government will be below their 2008 spending levels for operations and expenses, and salaries and wages.
“These savings can be directly attributed to the department heads and employees of North Wildwood government”, Henfey said. “Everyone knows we have to do more with less, and the men and women who work for the city are able and willing to make this happen for the sake of every single taxpayer”.
“Despite the economic challenges that face North Wildwood and every other municipality in the state of New Jersey, residents and visitors will see big improvements in 2009”, said Council President Patrick Rosenello. “The city’s aggressive street reconstruction program continues, with major improvements along Surf Avenue and other streets. The city will finally enjoy a long-awaited beach fill project after the summer tourism season. And we’re still able to showcase the city with the most aggressive events and promotions schedule along the entire New Jersey coastline”.