Verona officials advertise 2021 budget, no tax increase included

Verona officials hope to hold the line on real estate taxes in next year’s budget.

Council unanimously voted earlier this month to advertise its 2021 spending plan, which maintains the current tax rate at 7.8 mills.

The borough has not raised real estate taxes in at least 10 years.

Borough Manager Jerry Kenna said he does not expect any significant changes to the budget before its formal adoption Dec. 8.

“There’s still some tweaks that will be done,” he said. “It’s basically boiler-plate stuff, make sure insurance numbers are adjusted for 2021 premiums and check administrative expenses. Nothing significant is left.”

Projected revenues and expenses were balanced at about $3.1 million.

Income includes approximately $818,000 in real estate taxes, $369,000 in local services and earned income tax, $65,500 in business licenses and permits, $29,500 in fines and forfeits and $564,700 in intergovernmental revenues.

Expenses include about $255,000 in administrative spending including administrative salaries and borough building operating costs, $84,500 for legal services, $90,000 for engineering, $578,000 for police, $112,000 for fire and $1.1 million for public works including $662,000 for paving and related costs.

First Street reconstruction is among the paving plans for next year.

The borough wants to remove its bricks and repave it with asphalt in the spring.

Estimated cost is $325,000. Verona sought a grant for the work and must come up with a $92,000 match.

The borough allocated an additional $10,000 for police training next year, along with additional funds for officer body cameras and security cameras throughout the borough.

“We really support the police and officers,” Councilman Mike Forebek said. “We really need to equip them and have the proper equipment to do the job and protect them and the citizens. I think for a small community that we are we’re doing pretty good.”

Mayor David Ricupero said he would like to add at least another part-timer, if not more next year.

“I’m trying to build the department to were we have two officers on every shift seven days a week,” he said. “It gets tough scheduling because officers work other places.”

The mayor commended the administration and its financial planning and staving off a tax hike.

“The budgets staying pretty steady,” Ricupero said. “The borough manger’s doing a fine job as far as balancing the budget.”

Kenna said the covid-19 pandemic has caused a $60,000 shortfall in earned income tax.

Verona was able to obtain a grant through the CARES Act to offset the loss.

The proposed budget is available for inspection at the borough office, 736 E. Railroad Ave.