Hampton's 2021 budget mirrors current spending plan, no tax hike proposed

Hampton Township’s preliminary budget for 2021 features few surprises — the tax rate for property owners will remain the same and no significant spending cuts are planned.

In addition to maintaining services, the township plans to “be aggressive” with its road paving program by spending about $1 million to resurface streets, said manager Chris Lochner.

“The best way to describe our 2021 budget is that from the general operations side, it is a repeat of 2020,” Lochner said. “We are going to pretty much be stable compared to 2020 until we understand the full impact covid has had on our budget, which I don’t anticipate we’ll know until the end of the first quarter.”

While department heads have not been asked to trim spending for next year, they were advised that the amount they receive for supplies and materials will not increase in 2021.

The rate used to calculate real estate tax bills — 2.9241 mills — means property owners will pay a little more than $2.92 for every $1,000 of their property’s assessed value, or about $292 a year for a home valued at $100,000.

In addition to a stepped up paving program, Hampton plans to complete about $850,000 in upgrades to the cooling and heating systems in township buildings as well as $400,000 in stormwater improvements.

The nearly $14.74 million spending plan relies on about $3.275 million in revenue from property tax, which is about the same amount collected this year.

But revenue from sources such as community center rentals and program fees are likely to drop next year by about $41,000 because of the restrictions against public gatherings to help slow the spread of coronavirus.

The township took a big hit when the center had to close this year to comply with the state order. Instead of the $271,500 in income that was expected, the township only took in $119,620, or 56.2% less, as of Oct. 31.

Next year’s budget starts with a little more than $769,800 left over from this year.

The blend of property, income and other taxes is expected to generate nearly $9.15 million next year with another $5.18 million coming from other sources, bringing the township’s total income to about $15.5 million.

The following is a breakdown of how the township’s money will be allocated in 2021:

• General government operations: $3.62 million

• Public safety: $3 million

• Community services: $3.81 million

• Sewer service: $1.98 million

• Debt service: $1.62 million

• Community development: $442,000

• Transfers from other funds: $119,000

The township has scheduled a public hearing on the budget for Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the municipal building.