Mayor Dalina Introduces 2022 Municipal Budget with No Tax Increase
In Second Year in Office, Mayor Continues Focus on affordability and Property Tax Relief
MONROE TOWNSHIP – May 3, 2022 – Monroe Township Mayor Stephen Dalina is proposing a 2022 municipal budget that keeps the municipal tax rate flat at $.490 per $100 assessed value, the same rate as 2021.
This would be the second consecutive year without an increase to the municipal tax rate and continues Mayor Dalina’s focus on affordability, property tax relief, and ensuring Monroe remains with the second lowest overall effective tax rate in Middlesex County for the coming year.
The proposed budget was introduced at last night’s Township Council meeting. A public hearing is set for June 1 to discuss it. As part of the new spending plan, residential water and sewer rates will remain flat and continue to be among the lowest in the entire region.
“Between the impacts of Covid-19, and some economic uncertainty, many residents have tightened their belts, and my job as Mayor is to do the same to keep our community affordable,” Mayor Dalina said. “This is my second budget as your new mayor, and I have painstakingly evaluated our balance sheet, our spending, our debt, and made the adjustments necessary to develop a responsible budget proposal that provides services but keeps municipal taxes flat."
Among the factors that led to a flat tax rate are:
- A $13 million decrease in the Township’s statutory debt over the past five years, resulting in a $600,000 decline in the Township’s debt service.
- With a strong AA+ bond rating, the Township refinanced existing debt, saving several million dollars.
- The Township aggressively pursued federal CARES Act funding, American Recovery Act Funding, as well as State grant funding, which helped keep tax rates flat and provided a modest surplus increase.
- Monroe expanded shared services efforts.
- Commercial ratables are being added, thus stabilizing residential municipal taxes for future years.
Monroe residents also deserve credit for the town’s budget success, Mayor Dalina said.
“Despite the challenges many of our residents faced this past year, remarkably, the Township achieved more than a 99% tax collection rate, which helps keep taxes low and stable,” he added. “I would also like to thank the Township Council for their partnership in managing this and previous Township budgets, as the municipality remains on solid financial footing.”
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All media inquiries may be directed to Monroe Township’s Public Information Officer Stacey Kennedy at 732-521-4400 or