State Keeps Aid to Twp. Dead Even for 2012

State aid to Morris Township remains stable for the second year in a row, at $3,279,941, according to Township Administrator Timothy Quinn.

The aid represents 10 percent of the township’s total revenue, Quinn said.

Receiving state aid was the “final piece of the puzzle” in establishing the revenue side of the budget, Quinn said. He said he is working on the 2012 budget now for April introduction and May adoption after a public hearing.

The good news in the township is construction permit fees are up because of some office building renovations, Quinn said. He anticipates review for this spending plan to be stable. The bad new is there are a number of commercial tax appeals pending from previous years, which could, if successful, cost the township money.

One-fifth of an $500,000 emergency appropriation for the 2011 storms will have to be paid back in the 2012 budget, but some FEMA revenue is expected.

Should this mild winter continue, any funds designated for salting will go into the “salt fund,” which can be held for future years, Quinn said.  “That’s a safety net that allow us not to take money from other projects.”