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February 1, 2009

Absecon budget cuts must total $860,000

Absecon budget cuts must total $860,000
By EMILY PREVITI Staff Writer, 609-272-7221

Published: Friday, January 30, 2009

ABSECON - City officials are pushing for changes to two state laws that they think will help them make up a budget shortfall that exceeds $800,000.
Absecon City Council met Thursday to talk about how to manage the city coffers amid the financial crisis that has stunted public budgets nationwide.

Some municipal leaders want New Jersey legislators to halve the required local contribution to public libraries and to forgive the typical Dec. 31 revenue collection deadline to allow cities the opportunity to take in more money, according to Council President and Budget Committee Chairwoman Lynn Caterson.

"It's a good point, but I don't think the state will change anything. We tried this ... twice before," said longtime Council man Charlie Norris.

Delaying debt service, relief from lower gas prices and legal costs and eliminating gypsy moth spraying and city-funded road projects have saved the city $500,000 so far. But a lower tax collection rate, shrinking investment returns and reduced construction fees mean local leaders must cut another $360,000 to stay within the 4 percent tax cap on noncapital expenses, Caterson said.

The library's 2009 budget calls for about half of the $300,000 the state says should come from city taxes. That means that if the state changes the library tax law as recommended by the League of Municipalities, Absecon would save $150,000 and still meet the library's needs, Caterson said.
Additionally, the library has accumulated a roughly $400,000 surplus. That means the library could make it through the next year even if funding lapsed completely, according to City Councilman Jim Vizthum.

So officials also might explore whether the library can help fund other entities, such as the local public access channel and historical society.

"Some people are living with a 20 percent decrease. A
4 percent increase ... at the municipal level is way more than enough in these tough economic times," said Glenn Hayden, a Planning Board member and the lone resident in the audience Thursday.

E-mail Emily Previti:

epreviti@pressofac.com

Posted by tumulty at February 1, 2009 7:39 PM

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