Tax Increase LFD Budget increases to $8.2 Million, elections moved to November

The Lakewood Fire district will hold a virtual board meeting tonight 7:00 pm introducing the 2021 Budget for total of  amount of $8,234,037.00. Last years budget was  $6,915,734. In 2017 it was at $5,019,295.The residents usually get to vote on the budget but this year with a expected move of the elections to November it is not clear if and when the public will have a say on the tax increase of the budget, there will be a public hearing January 11 to adopt the budget.

In another move there is a resolution on the agenda to move the annual fire elections to the Time of the November General Election something the critics have been calling for a while instead of holding a separate election in February. Supposedly part of the reason is the high cost of mail in ballots for the February elections although last week there was a vote to add $650,000 in capital expenses with no option for mail in voting. 

-Agenda Here 

-Livestream Here

A. Resolution Authorizing Annual Election Move to the Time of the November General Election Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-72.1;(Change the District annual election date from the third week in February to the November General Election date which shall extend each sitting Commissioners’ term of office to the first Tuesday in December of the year their term expires)B. Resolution Introducing and Approving the 2021 Budget(The Resolution approves the proposed 2021 Budget with Total Revenues of $8,234,037.00 which includes the amount to be raised by taxation of $8,180,170.00 and Total Appropriations of $8,234,037.00)