Maplewood CFO Joseph Kolodziej

After several years of late budgets, the township passed the final budget in May. Work is already starting on next year’s budget.

The budget supports policy decisions around streeteries, Master Plan implementation, lowering pool fees, increasing homeless outreach, and instituting pay increases for lower-wage township workers.

Maplewood Mayor Nancy Adams forecasts a better budget cycle for 2024, reporting that revenues have rebounded post-COVID pandemic.

“We started this process all the way back in January. We are at the point where we can finally see a finish line,” said the CFO. “We’re about to start our 2024 budget preparations,” joked Mayor Dean Dafis. 

“The good news is that we’re still committed to holding our tax rate increase to 3.5%, so none of the important pieces of the budget have changed,” said Township Administrator Patrick Wherry.

“I’m really proud of our efforts here especially during these challenging economic times we are all in,” said Mayor Dean Dafis in response to the upgrade to a AA bond rating.

Officials say that staffing vacancies not filled in 2022 contributed to the lateness of the township’s Annual Financial Statement, which must be submitted before the state can review the budget.

Want to know what is happening in your community? WE MAKE IT EASY! Try…

Want to know what is happening in your community? WE MAKE IT EASY! Try…

Want to know what is happening in your community? WE MAKE IT EASY! Try…