Residents would see a 2 percent increase in the county tax levy Watch video
TRENTON -- Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes on Thursday unveiled a $302 million budget proposal.
Under his budget, $255 million would be collected in property taxes, an increase of $5.1 million from last year's adopted budget.
That represents a proposed 2 percent increase in the county tax levy and a less-than-a-penny increase on the tax rate.
"Our budget proposals since I've been county executive have been marked by austerity and balance, and this year again represents our effort to provide the best possible government to our constituents in the most cost-effective manner to the taxpayer," Hughes told the freeholder board.
He proposed to use $9.9 million -- about half of the county's surplus -- leaving a $10 million balance.
More than half of the budget will go to public safety, including the Prosecutor's Office, the Sheriff's Office, the Police Academy and Department of Corrections, Hughes said.
The Police and Fire Retirement System saw an increase of more than $1.5 million and both the county's unfunded mandate to provide mental health services to inmates and costs at its 911 call center went up by about $1 million.
Some of the increases are offset by decreases in health benefit costs and gasoline costs.
Hughes also used his budget address to announce a pending agreement to send inmates to Hudson County, citing the aging jail complex in Hopewell Township and Hudson's "impressive and progressive" range of programs and medical services offered to inmates. The jail won't be completely shuttered, but the move will result in layoffs, he said.
Hughes said that the county has also begun talks with its consultant, Urban Engineers, on plans for a new passenger terminal at Trenton-Mercer Airport.
"Our job is to provide a government that understands its limits and avoids the wild fluctuations seen in other counties," he said. "It is important to me that the citizens of this county know that we work hard to keep the ship steady."
Cristina Rojas may be reached at crojas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @CristinaRojasTT. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.