Council introduces flat budget for 2023

The Township Council introduced a 2023 municipal budget with the same tax rate as last year at its meeting April 11.

The $29.6 million budget is about $672,000 less than the 2022 budget because of state grants that Sparta received last year, said acting township manager Grant Rome.

The municipal tax rate has not changed more than a fraction of a penny since 2016, he noted.

A public hearing and final vote on the budget will be May 9.

Councilwoman Christine Quinn pointed out that residents’ tax bills will go up because of increases in school and county taxes. The municipal budget is about 17 percent of the total tax bill, the county budget is about 18 percent and the school budget is about 64 percent, Rome said.

The council appointed Sparta High School senior Landon Tanyeri to be an alternate member of the Zoning Board.

“What he lacks in age, he makes up in intelligence and hard work,” said Deputy Mayor Neill Clark.

Tanyeri is an advocate of converting abandoned rail lines to walkable trails in Sussex County, he noted.

The council approved a resolution to hire Steven Levinson and Assurance Consulting Services for six months at $1,500 a month to assist in the search for a township manager.

Members tabled a resolution to hire a firm for GIS mapping and related services.

Quinn thanked the Parks & Recreation Department staff, Recreation Advisory Committee members and volunteers for their work on the Bunny Breakfast and other activities April 1.

“They had an overwhelming turnout. It’s back to the way it was before Covid with the petting zoo and with all the things,” she said.

The Hometown Heroes banners program will expand into Lake Mohawk Plaza and up Winona Parkway, adding 30 banners, Quinn said.

”It’s really going to add something special to the parade route moving forward.”

The banners are expected to go up before Memorial Day and to remain in place until after July 4.