A Local Look at the Cap Exclusion Bill

Assembly Budget Panel Chair Gary Schaer (D-36) has proposed legislation that would allow towns to exceed the 2% cap on property tax increases -- IF the money is needed as matching funds to hire more police officers.  But what would it really mean in our area?

We asked Toms River Township Business Administrator Paul Shives to take a look at the Cap Exclusion Bill and tell us what it would mean for the township.  He says it would definitely be a big help, once the township qualifies for federal grants in the first place.  That, he says, is the hard part.

"It is extremely difficult, the way the formula is written," said Shives.  "The federal funding for police officers is definitely skewed toward more urban areas."

Shives says that bias makes it tough for smaller municipalities to even get funding in the first place, even when it's desperately needed.

"Toms River, unfortunately, has problems associated with urban area issues, but yet we're looked at as a suburban police force," Shives said.  "And our police do a tremendously good job, but we are spread thin."

Assemblyman Schaer has said his bill is designed for the long-term, so he won't be attempting to fast-track its passage.  If approved, the exclusion could also be used for matching funds used to hire firefighters.