2010 Monmouth County Budget Introduced

Newsbrief - Monmouth County

Written by MC Public Information Office Saturday, 13 February 2010 10:18

Freeholders to take budget to go ‘on the road’ again

Public hearings at county libraries scheduled March 2 and 9

FREEHOLD, NJ  – The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders introduced a $496 million budget last night, an increase of just 1.74 percent over last year.

Despite the increase, the proposed spending plan reflects a commitment to provide programs and services to an increasing number of residents who need them at a time when revenues are down due an economy that has yet to rebound from the recession.

“Governments at every level face extraordinary challenges,” Freeholder Director Lillian G. Burry said. “Across the nation, growth has virtually stopped; real estate values have eroded and revenue is down. The tax base of Monmouth County has declined for the first time since 1993.”

“In the face of this grim reality our duty is not to complain or make excuses,” Burry continued. “It is our responsibility to find ways to do the business of government and do it to our own high standard and without placing a great burden on the taxpayers we serve.”

As introduced, the budget is up by $8,499,848, or 1.74 percent, and is among the lowest increases in five years. The amount to be raised by taxation is $305,500,000, up $10,715,848, or 3.64 percent. The county tax rate would be 24.1 cents for each $100 of assessed valuation, up 1.28 cents.

Read more: 2010 Monmouth County Budget Introduced