Great Job! Toms River Mayor Dan Rodrick Announces No Tax Increase for 2024

July 29, 2024 09:20 pm

Mayor Dan Rodrick revealed that there will be no tax increase for 2024, despite escalating expenses and the termination of federal support from the American Rescue Plan.

 

Upon assuming office, Mayor Rodrick encountered a $3 million deficit, worsened by the withdrawal of $10.2 million in federal funding that had been used to balance the previous two budgets under former Mayor Maurice Hill. To address this, Rodrick’s administration canceled expensive contracts, cut redundant positions, and merged departments.

 

Rodrick affirmed his commitment to eliminating wasteful spending, cutting no-show jobs and political patronage, and delivering a budget with no new taxes. He pointed out that the previous administration had used $6 million of federal COVID-19 relief funds to avoid a tax increase in 2023. Overall, more than $10 million in federal funds had been utilized to balance the budgets in 2021 and 2022.

 

With these federal funds no longer available, Rodrick had to make further cuts to fulfill his campaign promise of avoiding a tax increase. He highlighted the termination of the costly and unconstitutional CCO ordinance, which had already consumed over half of its budget. Additionally, he chose not to replace two retiring police captains, saving nearly $700,000 in salary and benefits, and consolidated animal control services with the county, saving almost $1 million.

 

Rodrick also underscored his dedication to enhancing public safety by hiring eight new EMTs to ensure an additional ambulance is available around the clock, thereby reducing emergency response times. He emphasized that the primary responsibility of the government is to ensure public safety.

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Great Job! Toms River Mayor Dan Rodrick Announces No Tax Increase for 2024

July 29, 2024 09:20 pm

Mayor Dan Rodrick revealed that there will be no tax increase for 2024, despite escalating expenses and the termination of federal support from the American Rescue Plan.

 

Upon assuming office, Mayor Rodrick encountered a $3 million deficit, worsened by the withdrawal of $10.2 million in federal funding that had been used to balance the previous two budgets under former Mayor Maurice Hill. To address this, Rodrick’s administration canceled expensive contracts, cut redundant positions, and merged departments.

 

Rodrick affirmed his commitment to eliminating wasteful spending, cutting no-show jobs and political patronage, and delivering a budget with no new taxes. He pointed out that the previous administration had used $6 million of federal COVID-19 relief funds to avoid a tax increase in 2023. Overall, more than $10 million in federal funds had been utilized to balance the budgets in 2021 and 2022.

 

With these federal funds no longer available, Rodrick had to make further cuts to fulfill his campaign promise of avoiding a tax increase. He highlighted the termination of the costly and unconstitutional CCO ordinance, which had already consumed over half of its budget. Additionally, he chose not to replace two retiring police captains, saving nearly $700,000 in salary and benefits, and consolidated animal control services with the county, saving almost $1 million.

 

Rodrick also underscored his dedication to enhancing public safety by hiring eight new EMTs to ensure an additional ambulance is available around the clock, thereby reducing emergency response times. He emphasized that the primary responsibility of the government is to ensure public safety.

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