Oceanport Increases Tax Rate by Less Than a Penny

The Oceanport Borough Council adopted a budget Thursday night that will mean an increase in the municipal tax rate of less than one cent.

The budget will mean an increase in muncipal taxes of 1.9 percent, compared to the current fiscal year, Councilman Joseph A. Irace said during the public hearing that preceded the adoption. Irace chaired the committee that prepared the budget.

For example, the assessed value of the average home in Oceanport
is now $450,000, said Irace, who chairs the council's finance committee. The taxes on that house would increase under the proposed budget by $40.50 this year, to $2,286. Per month, the tax increase is only $3.37, Irace said.

The budget, which will raise $6.96 million, will mean no cut in services for residents, said Irace. He added that he was proud that the governing body has kept the lid on spending, except for increases mandated by labor contracts.

Irace noted that the municipal tax was just 25 percent of a property owner's tax bill this year. The rest of the property taxes paid are county and schools taxes, he said.

The council also held a hearing on a proposed bond ordinance appropriating $668,500 for various projects and purchases. The council is scheduled to vote on the ordinance at its meeting May 12.

Of that amount, $200,000 will come from a grant from the state Department of Transportation, Mayor Michael J. Mahon said.

In addition to that $200,000, the ordinance authorizes the borough to spend another $275,000 on road imrpovements, if needed, Borough Clerk Kimberly A. Jungfer said.

The major road project that is planned is a resurfacing of Port au Peck Avenue from Myrtle Avenue to East Main Street.