Point Beach Council Approves 2011 Budget

The Point Pleasant Beach Council unanimously approved the 2011 municipal budget during its meeting Tuesday night.

The municipal portion of the overall tax rate is expected to increase by about 1.5 cents per $100 of assessed value in a proposed Point Pleasant Beach budget of about $11.6 million.

The tax increase of $355,949 reflects an increased tax rate of 23.2 cents to 24.7 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.

The owner of a home assessed at the Beach average of $697,000 will pay $104.55 more per year. 

The tax rate had originally been set at 1.6 cents per $100 of assessed value, but the council approved an amendment after the state reviewed the spending plan and told the council that the emergency appropriations line item was not a cap waiver item. Borough Administrator Christine Riehl said the borough had to adjust the surplus account to keep spending at the state-mandated 2 percent levy cap, which in turn, lowered the municipal tax rate. 

Mayor Vincent Barrella thanked all those who helped put together the budget, and especially thanked Riehl for all her hard work.

Barrella said the borough is currently about $1.7 million under the state spending cap, and described the borough's spending methods as "frugal." The mayor said the borough has a revenue problem and not a spending problem.

However, he said he was happy the borough was able to come up with the budget it did.

"I think the budget will provide a light at the end of the tunnel," Barrella said.

Councilmen Jeff Dyer, Tim Lurie, Mike Corbally and Sean Hennessy all voted to approve the budget. Councilman Frank Rizzo and Councilwoman Kristine Tooker were not present at Tuesday's meeting.