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Haddonfield adopts 2024 budget with modest tax increase, funds for fire stipend and road work
Summary
The Borough of Haddonfield adopted its 2024 budget on June 24, 2024, increasing the average homeowner’s bill by about $200 (≈3.8 cents per $100 assessed value). The budget preserves one-time utility-sale proceeds for the road program, funds a $206,000 fire stipend program and covers higher debt service and increased insurance costs.
The Borough of Haddonfield Commissioners adopted the 2024 municipal budget following a public hearing on June 24. Commissioner Troy moved to adopt the budget and Mayor Bianco Bezich seconded; the motion passed by roll call.
Borough Administrator reviewed the major revenue and expense shifts behind the plan, telling residents the borough used proceeds from the sale of the utility only for the cash portion of the annual road program and not for recurring operations. She said recurring revenues rose by more than $130,000 from higher parking-meter revenue and State Aid, while projected tax collections decreased roughly $91,000 because many residents paid on time last year.
On the expense side, the budget continues a Fire Department stipend program estimated at $206,000, increases funding for planning, zoning and the Historic Preservation Commission, and includes higher police-equipment costs. The administrator noted rising court costs and insurance and employee-benefit increases “of about $100,000 each.” Debt service rose by just under $300,000, and the borough must provide the library an additional $60,000 this year.
The administrator calculated the impact on property owners: on an average assessed home valued at $522,966, the tax change is about $200, or roughly a 3.8-cent increase per $100 of assessed value (approximately a 6.5% change in that illustrative bill).
Residents raised questions during the hearing about specific line items. Anne Hearing asked whether staff and police work for community events is overtime or part of routine duties; Mayor Bianco Bezich said work is a combination of regular responsibilities, overtime when needed and mutual aid or Auxiliary Police for some events. Dave Seidell asked how the borough will address the loss of recurring revenue from the utility sale; the administrator said those one-time proceeds were reserved for capital (road) work and cannot be used to replace ongoing revenue.
Commissioner Troy moved to close the public hearing and adopt the 2024 Borough Budget; the motion was approved unanimously by roll call. The budget will be implemented per local procedures and statutory deadlines.
