Tentative Elizabeth budget includes increase in taxes

By Christine Haines

chaines@yourmvi.com

Taxes could be going up in 2021 in Elizabeth.

Council last week approved a tentative budget that calls for a tax increase of 1.5 mills to keep it balanced. The millage rate is currently 8 mills for the general fund and 0.5 mills for fire protection. 

Councilwoman Cynthia Morris, who heads the finance committee, said there’s never a good time for a tax increase, but the borough didn’t have an option.

“It’s a terrible thing we have to do now. I was against it, but we have to,” Morris said. “We’ve had so many years of struggling through by the skin of our teeth and if we hadn’t had the CARES Act money this year, we would have run out of money. 

“Our job as council members is to be fiscally responsible, and to be fiscally responsible you have to have the income.”

The borough received $40,000 through the CARES Act to help cover expenses caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

According to Mayor Barry Boucher, the 1.5 mill increase should generate between $50,000 and $60,000, possibly slightly more. The increase amounts to $15 per $10,000 of assessed property value.

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