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

Berkeley Heights Town CouncilTown Council Agenda and Meeting Summary

Overview

  • Total Spending: $30.5 million (↓ $1.9M from 2024)

  • Raised by Taxes: $17.0 million (↑ $715K from 2024)

  • Surplus Used: $4.9 million (↑ $460K)

Revenue:

  • Property Taxes:  55% of the budget.

  • Surplus (“Rainy Day Fund”): Usage up 10% this year.

  • 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.

  • Interest Earnings: Nearly doubled due to better investment returns.

  • Construction Fees: Down 21% — could signal a slowdown in new development.

Expenditures:

  • Police Department: $4 million in salaries alone. Still the single biggest expense.

  • Employee Health Insurance: Nearly $2.93 million

  • Snow Removal: Increased by $150K ?

  • Legal Costs: Jumped to $365K from $196K — an 86% increase.

  • Library Funding: Mandated minimum of $1.47 million.

Notes:

  • Surplus:  Using more surplus each year without replenishment

  • Heavy PILOT Reliance: These revenues are not guaranteed long-term and do not help fund local schools.

  • Legal Costs Spike: Could point to litigation, legal disputes, or complex development deals.

  • Drop in State Aid: Flat year-over-year despite rising expenses.

  • CAP Compliant: The Township stayed within the 2% tax levy cap.

  • Banked Capacity: $2.4 million in unused tax cap bank is still available for emergencies.

  • 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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