Burlco Budget OK'd, Average Moorestown Bill Goes Up $10

Burlington County Freeholders adopted the $216.9 million county budget Wednesday with a unanimous vote.

The spending plan cuts the average tax levy for the 21st consecutive year, and also reduces the amount of taxes collected by $5.9 million.

The countywide tax rate average for the coming year is 30.96¢ per $100 of assessed property value, compared to 30.99¢ in the 2010 budget.

With the equalized taxation, where each town pays a different tax rate, Moorestown residents will see a small tax increase. Moorestown is one of six towns countywide that saw an increase in the tax rate compared to last year. (Click on the PDF to the side to see each Burlington County town’s tax rate and to read the budget.)

The 2011 Moorestown tax rate is 30.42¢ per $100 of assessed property value, up from 30.23¢ in 2010. 

Residents with a home assessed at the township average of $533,800 will pay about $1,624 in county taxes, or about $10 more than last year.

Freeholder Director Bruce Garganio said the budget gives Burlington County the lowest per capita spending statewide at $483.45.

“The reductions come at a time when our taxpayers need it most,” Garganio said in a statement. “As we are all aware, many residents are still struggling to pay their mortgage or rent, and find employment that enables them to meet their other daily expenses.

“We’ve made significant cuts in more than a dozen county departments, but our core programs and services remain intact,” he added.

Garganio touted the freeholders’ ability to institute this budget, despite the county losing near $1.9 billion in property tax ratables, which now stand at $50 billion.

He also noted that the county has made cost-cutting moves, such as eliminating more than 300 staff positions in the past three years and cutting 165 vehicles from the county’s 650-vehicle fleet.

At an earlier public hearing on the budget, one Mt. Holly resident questioned whether residents would feel continual cuts in the budget.

The budget vote was 4-0, with Freeholder Mary Anne Reinhart abstaining.