$56.1M budget calls for tax hike
By ROBERT LINNEHAN
Cherry Hill Sun
1/25/2008

Township officials: Tax rate remains lowest in Camden County

The Cherry Hill Council unanimously introduced an amended budget for the 2008 fiscal year that will see a 1.4-cent raise in the local purpose tax per every $100 of assessed property value. Since the budget was amended, it was sent to the state for further approval.

According to township public information officer Dan Keashen, the final adoption of the township budget could take place as early as Jan. 28 at the council’s next meeting if the amended budget is approved by the state.

The tentative budget totals about $56.1 million, Mayor Bernie Platt said in a written statement.

The budget was amended to cut about $400,000 as a means to reduce expenses in the township.

“We tightened our belts by delaying the hiring of personnel, limiting the capital spending plan and garnering new cuts in operating expenses,” Platt explained. “We also looked for other ways to create better business practices by making township personnel policy similar to the private sector’s policies.”

The 1.4-cent increase in the local purpose tax rate per every $100 of assessed property value will lead to a $19 increase per year for the owner of an average Cherry Hill home assessed at $140,000.

Platt said Cherry Hill continues to maintain the lowest municipal tax rate of all 37 communities in Camden County.

Despite maintaining the lowest tax rate in Camden County, Platt said having to raise the rate because of the state’s decision to continue demanding more money to support pension shortfalls and cutting state aid to municipalities was disheartening.

“The state is asking us for another million dollars this year on top of the $2.6 million we are already sending to Trenton for the pension system,” he said. “It’s outrageous that the people of Cherry Hill are paying for what everyone knows was the state’s mismanagement and irresponsible fiscal policies.”

In January 2007, the council approved a $54 million municipal budget for the 2007 fiscal year. The 2007 budget triggered a tax increase of about $100 for the average household, officials said.