Public's input sought on Jamesburg budget

It is common knowledge that the state of New Jersey is in a property tax crisis and is in need of a serious fiscal overhaul. In response to the highest property taxes in the nation, the state introduced the 4 percent operating budget cap on local tax levies as a way to lower local governmental spending. While the 4 percent cap may have seemed a good way to keep property taxes under control, I believe that this cap inflicts more harm than good on the state's smaller municipalities.

Jamesburg is one of the state's smaller communities. Historically, Jamesburg's Borough Council has been in the practice of fiscal responsibility, attempting to keep our municipal tax increases as low as possible despite its stagnant tax base. The 4 percent cap is not a problem for large communities with high sources of revenue and a growing tax base. For the state's smaller communities, often with low sources of revenue and a stagnant tax base, the 4 percent cap creates a fiscal crisis.

The 4 percent cap will cause a fiscal crisis in the Borough of Jamesburg. As council members, we are now charged to make drastic cuts to our community's services in order to comply with the new cap. All items of our budget which fall under the 4 percent cap are being examined for cuts, including our public library.

To the armchair quarterback, our public library operating budget may seem minuscule. It is currently $170,472, which may not be a lot of money for one of the state's larger communities, but is the third-highest item in our operating budget. To make matters worse, the library's budget is completely out of the control of the Borough Council. The library must receive a state-mandated increase each year based on a state formula, which means that the library budget has the potential to increase 13 to 15 percent each year. Next year, while items on the rest of our operating budget will max out at a 4 percent increase, the library budget is projected to be $197,125 (by adding 15.63 percent, or $27,500). It does not take a mathematician to quickly figure out that something has to give.

Due to the scenario laid before us, a possible crisis has emerged for the borough's 2008 budget. The mayor and council would like the input of the residents of Jamesburg as to which services are too important to be cut. Possible cuts to all items of the borough's current budget will be the topic of discussion at a special town meeting at Borough Hall at 7 p.m. on June 13. I encourage all residents to find time to attend this meeting so the mayor and council can make the best decisions for our community.

Jamesburg wishes to continue its history of fiscal responsibility and keep its public library open. It is our hope, with assistance and guidance from the governor or the state Legislature and feedback from the residents of Jamesburg, we will be able to keep Jamesburg moving forward with minimal impact to the services that the borough provides.

Brian M. Grimes

councilman

Jamesburg