Tentative spending calls for 5.5 percent increase

[Tax hike on table]

Tentative spending calls for 5.5 percent increase

Increases in the cost of utilities, professional services and ongoing capital projects and new affordable housing obligations could result in a 5.5 percent increase in municipal taxes.

The Township Committee was scheduled to introduce a $9.75 million preliminary budget early Thursday evening after The Cranbury Press' deadline. The budget had been scheduled for introduction Monday, but the vote was postponed. Township Clerk Kathy Cunningham said Wednesday the budget was not completed.

While the budget was not introduced, Mayor Becky Beauregard offered an overview of the spending plan, which is slated to increase the municipal tax rate by 4 cents to 77 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. The 2004 budget was $9.5 million, with a 73-cent tax rate.

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