Oceanport introduces $6.2M 2007 budget
Two on council object to salary for new post
BY CHRISTINE VARNO
Staff Writer

OCEANPORT - - The Borough Council introduced a 2007 municipal spending plan last week that calls for a tax increase of 3.2 cents.

The $6.2 million total budget, if adopted, will bring last year's figure of 28.5 cents per $100 of assessed valuation up to 31.7 cents per $100.

The budget was introduced at the March 15 council meeting with two members of the six-member council rejecting the spending plan.

The public hearing on the budget is scheduled for April 19 at 8 p.m. at borough hall.

Although Councilman John "Ted" Ibex said he is "basically" in agreement with the entire budget, he voted against introducing it, citing a new borough position in the spending plan as his only objection.

Councilman Gerald Briscione also rejected introduction of the budget.

At the same meeting, council voted 4-2 to adopt the ordinance setting municipal salaries for 2007, including a borough administrator position with a salary range from $15,000 to $90,000.

Ibex and Briscione also voted against adopting the salary ordinance.

Before voting no on the budget, Ibex said, "Convince me that you need [a borough administrator] and I will be the biggest supporter of it. I just think it has not been completely thought out."

In addition to his objection to hiring a borough administrator, Briscione said he voted no on the budget because of the capital budget and recent changes made in the spending plan.

During a budget presentation at the meeting, Ibex explained that the cost of hiring a borough administrator makes up 0.6 cents of the total 3.2-cent increase.

Additional increases include a planner hired by the borough to assist with Fort Monmouth issues, which makes up 1.3 cents of the total increase, according to Ibex.