Chatham Township Committee Introduces 2023 Budget with Bipartisan Support and No Municipal Tax Increase
The Township of Chatham is proud to announce the introduction of its budget for 2023, which was passed with bipartisan support at the Township Committee meeting on April 25, 2023. This budget keeps the municipal purposes tax rate flat at 0.321 per $100 of assessed value, ensuring no tax increase on the municipal level.
In addition, the introduced budget calls for a reduced Open Space Tax Rate of 1.5%, down from the previous rate of 2%. This change will result in a combined lower tax rate overall for residents, compared to last year.
After introduction of the budget, Mayor Ashley Felice remarked, “This budget demonstrates my commitment to fiscal responsibility, providing high-quality services to residents, and investing in the future of the community. I would like to express my gratitude to the Committee members for their bipartisan collaboration in developing a budget that serves the needs of all Chatham residents.”
The budget utilizes the fund balance, or surplus, in accordance with best practices and policies, ensuring that the Township’s surplus is healthier than it has been in many years. The Township has managed to accomplish all of this despite the increased costs of running government in New Jersey, while maintaining the same service levels as last year and continuing to make essential capital investments that the Chatham community deserves.
Only about 17 cents of every dollar paid by taxpayers is used to fund Township services. The 17% within the control of the Township Committee is allocated towards police protection, storm clean up & snow removal, road maintenance, parks maintenance & recreation services, recycling collection & the Recycling Center, storm sewers, street lighting, construction safety & building inspections, code enforcement & property maintenance, fire hydrants, court services, animal control, public information, vital statistics, and includes subsidies to the two Fire Departments, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and the non-profit Senior Citizen Center. The remaining 83 cents are obligated to be collected for the independently set County, School, and Library taxes.
Prior to introduction of the budget, Township Administrator Ziad Andrew Shehady made a public presentation explaining the budget process, the appropriations and revenues, and impact to taxpayers. The full meeting and presentation were broadcast live and recorded for viewing on YouTube. Adoption and final public hearing on the budget is scheduled for Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at 7:30 p.m. The Township of Chatham 2023 budget as introduced is available on the Township website.
For more information about the budget, please contact Chatham Township Administrator Ziad Shehady at administrator@chathamtownship.org
