Hurricane Sandy Appropriations Do Not Affect Increased Long Branch Budget

Long Branch's increased municipal budget was adopted by the city council on Tuesday night, but officials say Hurricane Sandy has not affected this year's higher tax rate.

Long Branch Chief Financial Officer Ron Mehlhorn said the 2013 municipal budget totals $51,100,000; a $700,000 increase over 2012.

The municipal tax rate has increased to 4.25 cents per $100 of assessed value. This amounts to a $160 increase for the owner of the average city home valued at $378,397 Mehlhorn said. That resident's municipal tax bill would now amount to $3,300, but that taxpayers will not see increased taxes a as a result of Hurricane Sandy repairs and cleanup.

"The only impact we had in the 2013 budget from the hurricane was a $5 million emergency (appropriation) that we passed in November, 2012," Mehlhorn said. "We're required to pay off one fifth of that emergency appropriation for each of the next five years."

"So this year there's a $1 million appropriation in debt service that increased the debt service over last year by (over $900,000) otherwise we would have had a decrease," Mehlhorn continued. "But that's offset by revenue of $1 million from FEMA, so it has no impact on taxes."

Mehlhorn said one of the largest increases in the 2013 budget was health benefits for city employees which increased "several hundred thousand" dollars from 2012. Health benefits generally increase each year in city employees' contracts.

Mehlhorn said municipal salaries increased as well, but only by 2.2 percent, which amounts to a little over $30,000.

The Long Branch School District adopted its 2013 budget last month. To see its impact on residents' taxes, click here.