Jersey Shore to hold line on rates

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JERSEY SHORE -With economic times being as tough as they are, borough residents can look forward to a budget that does not include a tax increase for 2009.

The proposed budget was aired at Tuesday night's meeting and projects revenues totaling $1,388,830 and expenses of $1,387,039.

The millage rate in Jersey Shore is 4.38 mills. One mill is equal to $1 for every $1,000 in assessed property value. Therefore, the property taxes on an $80,000 home would be $350.40 for the year.

Other parts of the budget separate from the general fund include the sewer fund, the swimming pool operating fund and the liquid fuels fund.

The sewer budget also does not include any increases in rates.

Shawn Lorson, treasurer for the borough, said some upcoming expenditures for the borough could include flood insurance for the borough's treatment plant, which is located in a flood zone. The insurance, which the borough hasn't had, would cost about $9,000.

Another expenditure for the police department includes a new Crown Victoria car with an LED light bar, and a new digital video camera totalling about $40,000.

Council went through the budget one line item at a time, so members could ask Lorson any questions they may have about the budget.

The budget will be on review to borough residents for 10 days and people can pick up copies of the proposal at the borough office.

Before council discussed the budget, it voted against a spending freeze, that would only allow the borough to pay operating costs until an audit was finished for 2006 and 2007.

Lorson said efforts to get the audits done are under way and that the 2006 audit should be completed by the end of November, but wasn't making any promises.

A resident named Howard Rice suggested the spending freeze during the public comment portion of the meeting.

Councilwoman Marguerite Dyroff made a motion seconded by John Pisarcik. Dyroff and Pisarcik were the two lone yes votes in the matter, while everyone else either voted no or abstained, citing "not enough information" as their reasoning.

Council will meet for another budget work session on Nov. 10 at 6 p.m. and its regular meeting is scheduled for Nov. 17 at 7 p.m.