No Tax Increase Introduced In Bridgewater 2021 Budget

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Despite the struggles with the coronavirus pandemic, the Bridgewater Mayor and Council were able to introduce a 2021 Municipal Budget that does not include any increase to the present tax rate.

"This budget in 2021 is challenging. We don't need to repeat all of the issues we had with COVID but like everyone else, whether as a business or homeowner, we faced a lot of the same challenges with regard to cost and revenues," said Mayor Matthew Moench during the June 21 meeting.

Moench noted the township saw "severely decreased revenues in a lot of areas - the biggest one being hotel occupancy taxes and Bridgewater Commons."

Last year the township took action to lay off employees and not give any pay increases to the police department. These actions helped to keep the budget down in 2021.

"This year was also a tough budget but we are lucky that because of the decisions the council and administration made last year it has put us in a much better position to weather the storm this year without having to be faced with some of the choices last year," said Moench.

The 2021 Budget will be $46.7 million which is about a $2.8 million increase from the 2020 budget. The majority of this increased spending stem from statutory and deferred charges which account for $1.8 million of the increase. These charges include deferred Social Security tax payments from last year.

For an average assessed home of $450,000 in Bridgewater, $9,509.60 can be estimated as a total tax bill for 2021, $1,072.35 or 11.27 percent of that representing the Local Purpose Tax, the same amount as in 2020 year, according to Bridgewater Spokesman Wells Winegar.

The Township also issued a full repayment of the special emergency bond taken last year in response to COVID. This helps to avoid having future budgets impacted by COVID.

"I am pleased that we are able to deliver the Bridgewater 2021 budget with a zero tax rate change from the previous year," said Councilman Howard Norgalis. "As Councilmen, we take our responsibility as stewards of funds from our residential and commercial property owners very seriously. Our goal is always to careful balance the level of services needed or desired with our financial ability to support those needs. Make no mistake, this was a very challenging budget but one that I feel reflects a prudent and responsive collective effort by the Council, Mayor and his Administration."

The 2021 Budget was unanimously introduced. The budget is available on the township's website for review. A public hearing on the budget will be held at the July 19 Township Council Meeting.

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