FREEHOLD – In an effort to further reduce the tax burden on Monmouth County residents during a difficult economy, the Board of Chosen Freeholders has adopted an amendment to the 2009 budget that reduces the amount of tax money needed to support this year’s spending plan.

 

Because of the additional cuts in spending, the budget adoption that was originally scheduled for last night’s meeting was delayed until March 26. Due to the interest generated from a proposal to freeze salaries, the meeting that had been scheduled for Interlaken will be moved to the Monmouth County Library headquarters, 125 Symmes Dr. in Manalapan. The meeting will start at 7 p.m. 

 

The total budget is now $487,500,152, down $2,715,848 million. The amount to be raised through taxation is now $294,784,152 and reflects the entire $2.7 million reduction. The increase over last year in the amount to be raised by taxation is $8,280,152, or just under 2.9 percent.

 

These amendments adjust the county’s allocation to Brookdale Community College and cut $1.8 million in capital expenses to achieve that goal. The budget increase is just 1.3 percent over last year’s figure and is below the rate of inflation.
   
The increase in the budget is fueled by the sagging economy, which has caused a sharp drop-off in revenues from realty transfer fees and investments.

 

In early 2009, the board removed more than $15 million from the budget. Still faced with a large tax increase, the Board has asked all county employees to take a wage freeze. So far all nonunion employees, who comprise about a third of the county’s 3,500-person workforce, have accepted the salary freeze. The budget as amended reflects an overall reduction in salaries.

 

The Board conducted a public hearing on the budget last night. On March 26, the Board has scheduled a hearing on the amendments and adoption of the budget.

 

 

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