Red Bank will not have a property tax increase in this fiscal year, but it comes at the expense of reduced city services and the elimination of the city’s codes enforcement officer.
Red Bank Board of Commissioners approved a $4.8 million budget by a 3-1 vote with Commissioner Ruth Jeno casting the only opposition and Mayor Monty Millard absent.
“I don’t agree with 90 percent of the budget,” said Jeno. “We chose not to accept a grant for computers for patrol cars that would free up two hours each, that’s 18 hours police could be on the street.”
Jeno said she strongly feels that the city of Red Bank should keep its codes enforcement officer. She said codes enforcement is important to help spur economic development needed in Red Bank. She said she is sad that funding for the new city hall has been removed from the budget and the revenue set aside will now go into the general fund.
“It took blood, sweat and tears to get through this process,” said Commissioner Greg Jones. “We started with a 36 cents property tax increase. We are now at a point of a zero tax increase.”