Quick Notes on the Berkeley Heights Municipal Budget-04/08/2025 Berkeley Heights Town Council Meeting

Overview
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Total Spending: $30.5 million (↓ $1.9M from 2024)
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Raised by Taxes: $17.0 million (↑ $715K from 2024)
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Surplus Used: $4.9 million (↑ $460K)
Revenue:
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Property Taxes: 55% of the budget.
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Surplus (“Rainy Day Fund”): Usage up 10% this year.
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PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes): Up 258% to $2.15 million. These are payments from developers instead of traditional taxes — and they don’t fund schools or the county.
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Interest Earnings: Nearly doubled due to better investment returns.
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Construction Fees: Down 21% — could signal a slowdown in new development.
Expenditures:
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Police Department: $4 million in salaries alone. Still the single biggest expense.
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Employee Health Insurance: Nearly $2.93 million
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Snow Removal: Increased by $150K ?
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Legal Costs: Jumped to $365K from $196K — an 86% increase.
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Library Funding: Mandated minimum of $1.47 million.
Notes:
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Surplus: Using more surplus each year without replenishment
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Heavy PILOT Reliance: These revenues are not guaranteed long-term and do not help fund local schools.
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Legal Costs Spike: Could point to litigation, legal disputes, or complex development deals.
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Drop in State Aid: Flat year-over-year despite rising expenses.
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CAP Compliant: The Township stayed within the 2% tax levy cap.
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Banked Capacity: $2.4 million in unused tax cap bank is still available for emergencies.
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Strategic Shared Services: Includes court, health, and I.T. support from neighboring towns.
Link to full budget as 0f 04/08/2025 426pm.
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