South Brunswick has been on a spending spree over the last half dozen years, its budget growing by a total of $9.1 million since 2001 with a commensurate decrease in the size of its surplus. It has, as our editorial says this week, been spending its savings.
Some suggestions:
That’s why it is imperative that the council and the township manager find ways to save money now. First, the council should make it clear to the township manager, who under this form of government is responsible for formulating and executing the budget, that it will not approve next year’s spending plan if it includes a spending increase.
Second, Township Manager Matt Watkins should direct each department to keep its spending to no more than 90 percent of what has been budgeted. That would help regenerate the surplus while also setting a lower spending bar for next year’s budget.
Third, the council should begin a full review of township spending now, months before a budget will be needed. This would make it easier to sift through the various programs, to determine which qualify as “needs” and which as “wants,” allowing the council to better set spending priorities.
South Brunswick Post, The Cranbury Press
The Blog of South Brunswick
Hank Kalet 