John R. Piatt
Commissioner- Revenue and Finance
Ventnor City, New Jersey

 

Contact:
Ventnor City Mayor and Commissioners 823-7900

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 17, 2009

 

VENTNOR BUDGET MAY CALL FOR CUTS TO MAINTAIN STABLE TAX RATE

 

 Commissioner of Revenue and Finance John Piatt said today that while the 2009 budget is still not official and still subject to change, expectations are that the City Commission will rise to the challenge of making the tough decisions necessary to stabilize the tax rate in Ventnor and prevent Ventnor property taxes from rising.  That means that the Commission must anticipate the possibility of rising tax rates from both the County and the Ventnor City Board of Education and “go the extra mile” to compensate where possible by keeping the City portion as low as possible. 
 Ventnor, like most communities, must also anticipate declining revenue sources, such as tax collections and State aid.  Still, according to Piatt, much can be done to remedy the situation.  The City’s citizen volunteer “fiscal committee” has been busy since the Kelly Administration took office last May working to implement the City’s first zero-based budget, which establishes departmental budgets based solely on real need and not on any assumptions based on previous years.
 In addition, the City has been refinancing debt where possible taking advantage of the current low interest rates and  Mayor Theresa Kelly has been active in researching shared services opportunities with Margate and Longport for long term savings, Piatt said.
 “But ultimately we have to look at everything,” Piatt said, “Nothing is off the table and that includes a serious look at staffing levels.” 
 Piatt said that the team of Kelly, Piatt and Weintrob was elected for many reasons, but chief among those reasons was their pledge to lower or stabilize taxes. 
 “Now it is time to step up to the plate,” he continued, “We know that the City is overstaffed in some areas and, particularly under the present circumstances, we cannot justify ignoring that situation.”
 Piatt said that the goal is to present a budget that maintains City services and maintains as low a total property tax impact as possible for the residents of Ventnor.
 “That,” he said, “Is no easy task.  We know that not every decision will be popular and some will be downright unpleasant, but still, in the end, I hope and expect that this Commission will rise to the occasion and Ventnor will be the better for it.”
 A formal budget may be presented at a special Commission meeting in March, or at a regular Commission meeting in April.

 

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