Introduced Long Branch Budget Calls For Tax Increase

Long Branch residents will see an increase in taxes on their 2013 bill if the Long Branch Council adopts its budget as it was presented this week.

The Long Branch Council introduced the 2013 municipal budget on Tuesday, and will likely adopt it at its second meeting in May.

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.

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.