February 27, 2018 – Lumberton Township – Tuesday evening, the Lumberton Township Committee introduced its 2018 Municipal Budget, which lowers the Local Tax Levy by 1.7% or roughly 1/2 penny for every $100 of assessed value. This represents a local tax rate decrease from last year’s 0.411 to this year’s 0.406 or more simply a roughly $16 savings to the average assessed home of $299,734.00. The amount to be raised in taxes through this budget equates to an overall reduction of $95,997.44, taking the total tax levy from $5,690,279.02 in 2017 to $5,594,281.58 for 2018. In all, the entire budget appropriations for the 2018 Budget is $8,750,904, which is $37,032 less than the $8,787,936 appropriated in the last year’s 2017 Adopted Budget.
“We are extremely proud to introduce this year’s budget, which reduces the burden on our local taxpayers again for a second year in a row while maintaining all of our core Township Services, including staffing our Police Department at its increased level of 21 Sworn Officers,” stated Mayor Mike Mansdoerfer. “I would like to congratulate the Township Committee, all of our Municipal Staff, especially our Township Administrator Brandon Umba, who have worked tirelessly to implement this tax cutting municipal budget”, added Mayor Mansdoerfer.
“Since the national economic downturn, our Township has made strides to stabilize our Municipal Budget to ensure minimal impact on our residents, while maintaining all core municipal services at levels expected by our taxpayers,” stated Mayor Mansdoerfer, liaison to the Township’s Finance Department. “In that time the Township has been able to consistently decrease our total annual budget to the tune of $1,644,931 during the last 10 years (2008 Budget = $10,395,835 and the 2018 Budget = $8,750,904) and this year’s budget culminates all of our past efforts by providing local tax relief to our residents for the second year in a row,” explained Mayor Mansdoerfer.
“When I joined the Township Committee last year, my goal first and foremost was to provide tax relief to our residents and even though we as Township Committee Members do not control the School or County budgets, we do our very best to ensure that our local tax rate provides relief to our taxpayers,” added Deputy Mayor Kristin Januseski, who also is a liaison to the Township’s Finance Department. “Additionally, even while providing a tax decrease for a second year in a row, our Administration through its fiscal practices increased our Township’s surplus to $2,920,454. 27,” stated Deputy Mayor Januseski. “Having the fiscal minds like Mayor Mansdoerfer and Administrator Umba leading our finance team is such a hidden asset for our residents and taxpayers. They drill down on every penny and have developed sound financial planning for Lumberton for years to come,” she concluded.
In addition to introducing the Township’s 2018 Municipal Budget at the February 27, 2018 meeting, the Township Committee also adopted a capital ordinance to authorize $400,000 toward an addition to the new Emergency Services Building. This addition is needed due to the very recent increase in volunteer members to the Township’s Emergency Squad and Fire Department. Since the Township has been able to build up its net surplus to close to $3 million, the Township Committee made the decision to add this addition now in order to meet the needs of our volunteer first responders without burdening any of our Township’s taxpayers.
“The fact that we have been able to provide our residents with a tax cut for a second year in a row, while funding construction of a new Public Safety Building and provide for a much needed addition to this new building due to the significant increase in our volunteer first responders, is a true testament to hard work of our Township Committee and staff,” explained Committeeman Jim Conway. “Through our efforts a number of commercial and residential projects within the Township are in the mix and it is because of our fiscal responsibility as a governing body that these developers find Lumberton Township attractive,” added Committeeman Conway. “As we continue to build on our successes, I know that Lumberton’s future is a bright one, because our local leaders are setting a blue print for a community that is affordable, and a great place to live, work and raise a family,” concluded Committeeman Conway.
Lumberton Township has set its Budget Adoption hearing for 7:30pm on Tuesday evening March 27, 2018 at the Lumberton Municipal Building, 35 Municipal Drive, Lumberton, NJ 08048. Residents are encouraged to attend.
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