Camden County Freeholders Cut Property Taxes for a Third Year in a Row
For Immediate Release: April 7, 2009
Contacts: KEN SHUTTLEWORTH

The Camden County Freeholders introduced a 2009 budget today that cuts property taxes for the third consecutive year without layoffs or a reduction in any of over 200 services provided by county government. The 2009 tax rate will be the lowest in nearly 50 years.

“We understand the economic hardships in our community and that is our guidepost on fiscal planning,” said Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli Jr. “I don’t believe any other local government in the state has accomplished a levy reduction in three consecutive years.” The “levy” is the total dollar amount collected from county property taxpayers.

Deputy Director Edward T. McDonnell said the reduction in taxes results from a disciplined, business-like approach to government. In addition, savings were realized through a variety of innovative approaches including shared services with other government entities, cooperative purchasing of office supplies, electricity, and the like, as well as an analysis and reorganization of the delivery of healthcare to employees.

“The credit for this remarkable budgetary achievement goes to every member of this Freeholder Board,” McDonnell said. “This Board never forgets that it’s the taxpayers’ money we’re spending.” “And let’s not forget our employees,” McDonnell said. “Make no mistake; if our employees did not actively partner with us every single day, reducing taxes would have been simply impossible.”

Looking ahead, Cappelli promised to seek still more efficiencies through the Transformation Initiative begun earlier this year to find ways to enhance cooperation among the county and its eight semi-autonomous organizations – the Board of Social Services, Health Services Center, Camden County College, Camden County Technical Schools, Improvement Authority, Municipal Utilities Authority, Library Commission, and the Pollution Control Financing Authority.

Another strategy cited by McDonnell to control costs in the future is a program to contain rising health care costs. Thus, the freeholders entered into an agreement last year with the Center for Health Value Innovation, the nation’s premier organization dedicated to establishing value and sharing evidence for sustainable health and financial improvement.

In addition to the operating budget, the freeholders introduced a $16 million capital budget that supports the ongoing effort to modernize the 911 system, and provide for infrastructure improvements to the County College, the Technical School, and the County park system, among other projects.

Adoption of the budget is scheduled for a public hearing at the monthly meeting of the Freeholder Board on May 21, 2009 at 7 p.m. at the Waterford Township Municipal Building.

Back to Main Press Releases Page

>> Top of Page <<