Municipal budget overview and summary for 2017 :
Spring has finally arrived and it ’ s a much-welcomed change of pace ! Since early January , the borough ’ s finance committee has been hard at work crunching revenue and appropriation numbers from 2016 , and reviewing 2017 operational and capital budget requests submitted by our department heads .
As finance chair , I wanted to thank my fellow committee members who include Mayor Birkner , Councilman Owens ( 2016 ), Councilman Grefrath ( 2017 ), borough CFO Durene Ayer and Administrator Ben Kezmarsky . This team worked diligently with departments and their Council liaisons to deliver a financial roadmap and budget that moves our community forward , while being mindful of taxpayers .
The 2017 public hearing on the municipal budget was held on March 21st during the Mayor & Council Meeting . It was discussed , opened for public comment , voted on , and approved at that meeting . This budget was developed by our committee and presented to the governing body . It ultimately provides funding that allows us to maintain both service levels to our residents and expectations for quality deliverables . Additionally , the budget includes new community enhancing capital projects , while continuing to provide a stable fiscal foundation for future years . The budget numbers referenced in this update are for the municipal portion of your taxes only , and do not include school and county taxes , which are out of the governing body ’ s control . Please keep in mind that only 31 percent of the yearly total property taxes you pay fund municipal and library operations . This year ’ s budget equates to an increase of $ 50 on an average assessed home of $ 410,000 in the borough . The 2017 total municipal budget appropriations are $ 18,616,300 , with $ 15,232,600 to be raised through taxation . Highlights of the 2017 municipal budget include , but are not limited to :
- Additional funding of $ 58,800 for the Library , which is over the state mandated minimum of $ 641,202 .
- The hiring of two new police officers for our patrol squads . After a short training period , these new officers will be ready to protect and serve our community in May 2017 . - The hiring of one additional special police officer . - Full year of funding for our LEADS ( Law Enforcement Against
Drugs ) program to our schools . - Repair of the McKinley Park tennis courts and Brookside Park
COUNCIL CORNER
Christopher Montana Council President / Finance , Administration & Capital Projects Chair
basketball courts .
- HVAC upgrades to replace inefficient and failing equipment at our Community Center , Library , and Municipal complex .
- Infrastructure improvements at our Community Center and Library .
- Resurfacing of borough roads as recommended by our DPW and Borough Engineer .
- Increased funding of reserves to Storm Recovery , Accumulated Absence , and Tax Appeal accounts . All of these liabilities have potential significant tax implication on future budgets if not properly planned for .
- Holding the line on the amount of surplus used to provide property tax relief for residents . This year we utilized $ 835,000 from our surplus , which was equal to the surplus used in 2016 .
- Planned reduction in the borough ’ s overall debt by approximately $ 450,000 .
The preparation for the 2017 budget began in July
2016 with monthly status calls and quarterly committee reviews of revenue and appropriation trends against our budget . We will continue this detailed level of planning and analysis in 2017 allowing us to :
- Provide our CFO , finance committee , and department heads with a 360-degree real time view of borough revenues and expenses against the budget . This allows us to identify trends ( positive and negative ) and limit unwanted surprises .
- Provide a continued financial road map , necessary for planning at a micro and macro level .
- Ensure we can continue providing a superior level of services to our residents and business owners while minimizing the tax impact .
- Continue to provide the capital improvements necessary to maintain the borough ’ s reputation of being the best location in the Pascack Valley region for residents and businesses to reside , while reducing the borough ’ s debt burden .
As the costs for commodities and services used for borough operation and resident services continue to increase , it is imperative that we continue with our disciplined review throughout our fiscal year and plan well in advance of the upcoming budget year . The finance committee is focused on understanding and identifying trends , remaining proactive rather than reactive , and doing our best to eliminate “ surprises ” that have historically cause upward and unwelcomed fluctuations in property taxes .
Pre-school has limited openings
The Westwood Recreation Department has limited openings for its 3-year-old and pre-K preschool classes . The Pre-School is a New Jersey State-licensed child care facility that provides an outstanding educational experience to children ages 3-5 years old .
The program is available to children who are between three and five as of 10 / 1 / 17 . All children must be pottytrained . The pre-K class is held from 9 a . m . to noon and the 3-year old class is from 12:30 to 2:30 p . m . on Mondays , Wednesdays and Fridays . It follows the Westwood School District calendar for holidays and the year ends June 1 , 2018 . The school meets at the Westwood Community Center , which has a separate classroom for the children and an indoor play area .
Forever Young Social Club
The Westwood Recreation Department ’ s Forever Young program provides a wide variety of recreation and leisure activities for community members ages 55 years and older . Activities include specialty and creative craft classes , fitness and yoga classes , pickle ball , and walking clubs . The department is expanding its program with the addition of the new Forever Young Social Club .
The Social Club is open to Westwood residents age 55 and older , free of charge . Activities include billiards , ping pong and chess . “ Our goal is to enhance social participation in our over 55 community ,” said Recreation Director Gary Buchheister .
The Social Club will meet the first , third , and fourth Tuesday of the month , from 1 to 3 p . m ., at the Westwood Community Center . Free coffee will be made available to participants .
For more information on the Forever Young Programs and to register , contact the Recreation Department at recreation @ westwoodnj . gov or call 201-664-7882 .
4 MAY 2017 MyWestwood