* CALLING OF THE ROLL:    

                                                                 Perez

                                                                 Smith

 

* PUBLIC PORTION* CONSENT AGENDA – RESOLUTION # 2010 - 90

84 – Resolution authorizing payment to Cully D. Lewis for snowplowing assistance

85 – Transfer of Funds

86 – Resolution urging the elimination of 4% Cap on Local Tax Levy

87 – Resolution amending 2010 Temporary Budget Appropriations

88 – Bills as per list

89 – Appointment of Municipal Court Administrator

 

 

* CLOSED SESSION (IF NEEDED)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RESOLUTION

# 2010 – 90

CONSENT AGENDA

 

The following routine items and resolutions are to be adopted in unison as a Consent Agenda:

84 – Resolution authorizing payment to Cully D. Lewis for snowplowing assistance

85 – Transfer of Funds

86 – Resolution urging the elimination of 4% Cap on Local Tax Levy

87 – Resolution amending 2010 Temporary Budget Appropriations

88 – Bills as per list

89 – Appointment of Municipal Court Administrator

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 8, 2010

 

I am pleased to report that there are no taxes, which I deem to be uncollectible for the year 2009, to be cancelled.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Denise Jawidzik

 

Denise Jawidzik

Tax Collector

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RESOLUTION

#2010 – 85

 

TRANSFER OF FUNDS

 

The following funds shall be transferred:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHEREAS, as a result of the 2006 Legislature’s Special Session on Property Tax, P.L. 2007, c. 62 implemented the Joint Committee’s recommendations of establishing homestead credits to reduce property taxes, imposing a 4% cap on local tax levies and permits the Local Finance Board to define capital and non-bondable current expenses; and

 

WHEREAS, in the preamble of the law it states that the “…Joint Committee found that property tax levy caps have been shown to hold down rising property taxes, and therefore, the Legislature should develop a property tax levy cap that accomplishes this goal but does not lead to unintended, adverse consequences”; and

 

WHEREAS, in the face of its own budget problems, the state eliminated the availability of the homestead relief to all but seniors and the disabled, yet failed to adjust the levy cap, which continues to cause problems in local budgeting; and

 

WHEREAS, the 4% cap on local tax levies was touted as crucial to controlling government spending and would force governments to “live within their means and encourage public officials to elevate the public interest” has adversely impacted not only municipal budgets but the ability of local officials to make sound decisions that meet the needs of their town and the demands of the taxpayers; and

 

WHEREAS, the 4% tax levy cap has proven to be counterproductive to sound fiscal policies forcing municipalities to draw down fund balances and reserves during good economic times and increase taxes during bad economic times; and

 

WHEREAS, the tax levy cap has forced municipalities to postpone infrastructure maintenance, eliminate programs and services for the needy and defer statutory expenses; and

 

WHEREAS, the 4% cap does not take into consideration expenses outside the control of local officials such as tax appeals, utility and other energy costs, state mandates, library appropriations or arbitrator’s decisions; and

 

WHEREAS, prior to the levy cap municipalities could reduce their debt, realize savings and use that savings to implement new programs without increasing taxes; with the levy cap municipalities must reduce their levy by the savings; and

 

WHEREAS, after several budget cycles municipalities have attempted to make short-term and long-term structural changes to their budget to bring down long term cost;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the governing body of the Borough of Helmetta in the county of Middlesex, State of New Jersey hereby urges the Legislature to eliminate the arbitrary 4% tax levy cap.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to State Senator Barbara Buono, Assemblymen Barnes and Deignan, the New Jersey State League of Municipalities and the Office of the Governor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RESOLUTION #88 -   PAYMENT OF BILLS - (detailed listing at end)

 

 

 

 

 

RESOLUTION

#2010 – 89

 

     WHEREAS, the Municipal Court Administrator, Kristy Gelsinon, resigned from her position; and

 

     WHEREAS, this vacant position must be filled;

 

     NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that upon advertising for this position, receiving resumes and doing an interview that

 

STACY A. KITSON

 

be and is hereby appointed to serve as MUNCIPAL COURT ADMINISTRATOR at the rate of $20.00 per hour with a term to expire 12/31/10.