A spending plan of $16.99 million was proposed for 2008 at Thursday night’s Town Council meeting. The council is seeking a 2 cent tax rate increase, from 34 to 36 cents per $100 of assessed value. The increase on a home assessed at the township average of $375,000 will be $75. The increase was attributed to the loss of $144,000 in state aid, or 7.9 percent of the 2007 total municipal aid, coupled with a $326,000 increase in pension costs. Other cost increases include health care and street lighting for the Town Center. Mayor David Fried had initially hoped for no increase to the tax rate. Various steps are being taken to trim costs where possible including laying off two fire fighters, limiting salary increases, and forcing white-collar employees to contribute to their health care.

See http://www.robbinsville-twp.org/2008-budget-message.html for more information and the March 13th presentation notes.