This is the latest installment in a series of opinion-editorials about the Montclair budget, by the Concerned Citizens of Montclair.
The Township Council will be voting on the 2011 Montclair Municipal budget at its meeting this Thursday, 4/21/11. The State of NJ requires that a meeting be held more than 20 days after the Manager introduces his budget to the Town Council. This is to allow citizens a chance to review the information and make comments at such meeting. CCM has reviewed the Manager’s 2011 Introduced budget. Here is what we found:
The town is relying on the hard work and cuts being made by the BOE to make the 1.8% increase in overall property taxes look good. They neglect to point out that the taxpayer rate for the municipal portion of taxes is increasing 7%, while the BOE made hard choices to achieve a drop in the school portion of property taxes by 1.7%.
The Municipal Tax Levy will result in a 27% increase in 5 years, since 2007, multiples of the % increase in the consumer price index for this time period.
Many documents have been issued making recommendations to the Town Council on how efficiencies and waste can be reduced, but the only items to research on the Manager’s excel spreadsheet are to increase recreation and inspection fees.
The town continues to say they have a “revenue” problem. It has recently been reported that they “forget” to collect revenues or cancel debt owed to the Township without fully vetting the process for pubic information.
There appears to be a major lack in fiscal controls, processes and accountability within Municipal Operations leading to waste and inefficiencies.
This bloated budget is an insult to Montclair’s hard working and fiscally responsible residents! CCM would like the Town Council and Town Manager to finally get down to business and improve the financial health of Montclair!
Please join CCM in signing a petition recommending a 0% increase in Montclair’s 2011 Budget. You can sign this petition on-line here.
Citizens voices for change need to be heard! Citizens attendance at the next Town Council meeting, specifically for citizen feedback for this introduced budget, is imperative. It is a tough week for many to attend given the religious holidays and family vacations, making it more critical for those that are able, to attend.
Town Council Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, 4/21/11, 205 Claremont Avenue. The “Open Session” starts at 8:00PM.
0% increase? how about a 2% decrease!
Keep up the good work. If the BOE can step up to the plate we should expect the same from our council. And if they can’t do it this year, what will happen next year?
GO CCM & OBAC! Tomorrow we will know if this Town Council and the Town Manager respect the opinions, wants and needs of the citizens of Montclair OR if they just don’t care. Let’s hope they do not pass this ridiculous budget and finally get down to working for the residents. Raising pool fee’s and not collecting 2 million dollars worth of owed revenue???
As many people as possible should attend – I really think they believe it’s not a big deal.