$43 Tax Increase Expected For Average Saddle Brook Homeowner

The Saddle Brook Council is planning to vote on a $20 million budget at an upcoming meeting, once the state OK's their spending plan.

The total $20,077,899.19 budget, which was introduced in May, would include a tax levy of $15,479,778, according to township CFO Frank DiMaria.

That's a 1.78 percent levy increase from last year, which equates to about $43 for the owner of the average township home assessed at $360,000, he said.

"We're trying to look out for the taxpayers and not increase taxes, but at the same time we have to maintain services and have a lot of things we'd like to offer," Mayor Karen Chamberlain said. "We try to be very slim with our spending."

Officials said they hoped the state would approve their proposed budget in time for them to pass it at their council meeting next week.

The total tax increase that homeowners see will also be affected by school and county budgets. 

The Saddle Brook Board of Education already passed their budget for next school year. The $31.8 million budget includes a 2 percent tax increase. The Bergen County Freeholders also approved a $498 million budget last month.