Contact: Leigh-Ann Bellew
(732) 670-6699
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Highlands, NJ - At the Highlands Borough Council Meeting Mayor Anna Little stood alone in opposition to A Budget increase of 2 1/2 %. "The Economic stresses on families and seniors are so great, that we simply cannot pass a budget with an increase this year."
Mayor Little created the Budget Review Advisory Committee in 2009 to aid in preparation of the 2010 Budget. "The Committee was a tremendous success," said Mayor Little. "Terrific recommendations were made toward creating additional revenue to offset taxes, as well as long term goals for reducing spending in several Borough departments."
However, Mayor Little stated she was disappointed with her fellow Council members who refused to consider combining duties from multiple positions to create a single position, eliminating the need for additional salaries. "By combining even two positions, we could have eliminated the 2 1/2% increase produced by this current budget."
Mayor Little voted no on the budget that proposed the tax increase. The budget was passed with the increase by the remaining four members of the Council.
"The people of Highlands will be served by the 5% reduction in personnel and the 5% budget reduction that labor counsel and I were able to accomplish in 2009. However, I am very disappointed that we did not achieve our goal of a flat budget, meaning no tax increase, in 2010. We clearly could have built on that in 2011 producing a budget with a tax decrease, which is sorely needed by taxpayers in this economy. "
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Highlands, NJ - At the Highlands Borough Council Meeting Mayor Anna Little stood alone in opposition to A Budget increase of 2 1/2 %. "The Economic stresses on families and seniors are so great, that we simply cannot pass a budget with an increase this year."
Mayor Little created the Budget Review Advisory Committee in 2009 to aid in preparation of the 2010 Budget. "The Committee was a tremendous success," said Mayor Little. "Terrific recommendations were made toward creating additional revenue to offset taxes, as well as long term goals for reducing spending in several Borough departments."
However, Mayor Little stated she was disappointed with her fellow Council members who refused to consider combining duties from multiple positions to create a single position, eliminating the need for additional salaries. "By combining even two positions, we could have eliminated the 2 1/2% increase produced by this current budget."
Mayor Little voted no on the budget that proposed the tax increase. The budget was passed with the increase by the remaining four members of the Council.
"The people of Highlands will be served by the 5% reduction in personnel and the 5% budget reduction that labor counsel and I were able to accomplish in 2009. However, I am very disappointed that we did not achieve our goal of a flat budget, meaning no tax increase, in 2010. We clearly could have built on that in 2011 producing a budget with a tax decrease, which is sorely needed by taxpayers in this economy. "
###
No comments:
Post a Comment