Middle Township Approves $29.8M Budget, Raises Tax Rate

Middle Township Committee introduced a $29.8 million municipal budget and $6.7 million sewer utility budget at its April 13 meeting, proposing a 2.3-cent increase in the local purpose tax rate.

For a home assessed at $264,071, the increase amounts to $60.74 per year. The budget complies with state tax levy and appropriations caps.

Contractual salary and wage increases of $363,000 and health insurance premium increases of $350,000 drove most of the rise. Capital and debt service costs grew by $257,000, including an additional $150,000 to the Capital Improvement Fund. The curbside trash and recycling contract increased $90,000.

The township offset costs through revenue growth. A local cannabis tax generated $95,000 in its second year. Ratables grew by $74 million. Officials projected higher revenues from licenses, permits, hotel and motel taxes, and construction fees. Salary savings from retirements in the Zoning and Tax Assessor offices also helped balance the budget.

The township plans to draw $410,000 more from surplus than last year. Surplus has grown to $6.87 million.

The $6.7 million Sewer Utility budget is funded by user charges and covers debt service and payments to the Cape May County Municipal Utilities Authority.

A public hearing and potential final adoption is scheduled for Monday, May 18 at 6 p.m.