Township Council Approves 2024 Municipal Budget with Modest 1.9 Cent Rate Increase
First increase in the municipal rate in Four Years
Municipal portion represents approximately 20% of total tax bill: Excludes school, county and fire district tax rates.
MONROE – June 7, 2024 – At the June 5th Township Council meeting, the Township Council approved a municipal budget submitted by Mayor Stephen Dalina with a $.019 tax increase. The municipal tax rate will be .508 cents per $100 of assessed value, or about $5 more per month for the averaged assessed property at $336k.
“Over the past three years, during the uncertainty of Covid-19 and expanding inflation, we leveraged every opportunity to ensure our municipal tax rate remained flat. However, Monroe, like every other community, faces the continued challenges of inflation in providing critical services,” Mayor Dalina said. The budget provides the services we have all come to expect with an expanded focus on public safety. Yet the spending plan is still $4 million under the state cap, demonstrating our ongoing and continued fiscal responsibility.”
Mayor Dalina noted that the total spending plan is $73.58 million, of which $48.38 million would be raised through property taxes, including a separate library tax established via state statute. “I am pleased that the remaining $25.2 million of our municipal budget needs would be covered through outside revenue, including grants, aid, and the use of the existing surplus,” he said.
With Mayor Dalina, Municipal taxes will have increased by just 3% over the four-year period, including this budget. That is an average of only 0.75 percent increase per year. Meanwhile, inflation has increased approximately 20 percent over that same period.
“This indicates to me – as well as the credit agencies that have assigned our municipality a stellar AA+ bond rating – that our spending is controlled, and our budgeting is responsible,” Mayor Dalina said.
This spending plan is in direct response to the expressed needs of the community.
Primary budgetary considerations for the coming year include:
· A continued investment in public safety as a priority. The budget includes $19 million in direct public safety expenditures, as the Township continues to secure the latest crime-fighting technologies, personnel, supplies, training and other support for police and emergency medical services. Specifically, the budget supports three new police officers, which will bring our force to 70 officers. We are also supporting 20 flock cameras in this budget to deter crime and we will be completing statewide police accreditation for the first time. We are also adding additional Emergency Medical Technicians to our roster as the EMS department handles over 11,500 calls annually.
· A continued investment in infrastructure maintenance and improvements. Over the past four years the township has invested more than $9 million in road paving and will continue this program. The Township has also made significant improvements to its parks and recreational facilities as part of the master plan, which will continue as part of capital budget.
· A continued pursuit of vital funding through federal, state and county grant opportunities. For example, in April, state officials visited Monroe to announce the award of $1.2 million in grants for park expansion at the Monroe Community Garden on Applegarth Road, including the construction of an inclusive playground. Additionally, the Township recently received $5 million in state grants to expand the police station and purchase open space on Schoolhouse Road, plus $3 million in Middlesex County land preservation grants.
Citing excellent services, capital investments, community programs, overall affordability and the positive spirit of township residents, Mayor Dalina noted that Monroe has become the place to be. “The real estate values of homes have increased dramatically since 2021,” he said. “Existing homes are selling quickly and at unheard-of prices. It seems as if everyone wants to purchase a home and live in Monroe, to raise a family and to retire in comfort and security.”
And the Township continues its strong support and advocacy for state programs that drive down the cost of property taxes, such as the expanded Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters (ANCHOR) program, Senior Freeze property tax reimbursement, Retirement Income Exclusions and special tax credit and deductions for veterans.
“We will continue to work closely with our county and state leaders to support these programs, including the future STAY NJ program to help offset the tax burden for Monroe residents,” Mayor Dalina concluded.
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All media inquiries may be directed to Monroe Township’s Public Information Officer Stacey Kennedy at 732-521-4400 or