Council to Introduce $86M Budget Tonight, Authorize $8.6M Referendum

The township council is expected to introduce an $86 million operating budget at its meeting Tuesday night.

According to the resolution set to be voted on by council members, the township's operating budget will total $86,574,112, of which $68,175,396 will be raised through local property taxes.

In addition to that amount, which is within the state's 2 percent cap on municipal tax levy expenditures, the governing body is set to vote on a resolution authorizing a public vote on a referendum calling for an additional $8.6 million in spending outside of the cap. Between the within-cap and out-of-cap spending, the tax levy will increase 12.69 percent if the referendum were to pass.

If the referendum vote does not pass, Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis has said the township will shed 171 workers, including 29 police officers and enough Public Works personnel to force the township to end public trash and recycling pickup and close the Ridge Road recycling center. Other departments, such as Recreation and the township's building department, would also suffer layoffs.

The referendum, which will total $8,655,056, will be placed alongside this year's school tax levy vote on the school election ballot April 27. The school budget and township operating budget remain separate spending plans despite questions on both appearing on the same ballot.

The budget introduction – as well as the authorization to place the referendum on the April 27 ballot – will take place at a township council meeting set for 7 p.m. Tuesday evening at the township municipal complex on Chambers Bridge Road.