The City of Linden presents the 2016 Municipal Budget.
According to city officials, there was a total of $105,362,660.34 in expenditures for the year 2016. The average municipal tax increase represents the lowest municipal tax increase since 2006 of $71.02 per average assessed home of $134,000, or an increase of $6.58 a month.
As with the 2015 budget, the focus of this years budget was public safety, public works and improving of infrastructure.
In regards to public safety, the City of Linden will be hiring at least 14 more police officers. Officers will also now be wearing body cameras which were purchased by the Union County Prosecutors Office. In addition, cameras will be installed at the Linden Train Station, municipal buildings, parks and various locations.
As to the aging police department building and its infrastructure, a study was recently approved to address this serious issue. This long overdue project has been on the back-burner for more than a decade, according to officials.
To address tree, trash, garbage and snow removal, at least eight more public works employees will be hired. Furthermore, the City of Linden will be purchasing two automated sanitation trucks. This will allow the city to expand using these trucks from just three wards to throughout the City of Linden by 2017. With the use of these new trucks, more manpower can be reassigned and deployed to address other public work functions. As to snow removal, better equipment and more plows have been capitalized in order to more efficiently plow and remove snow from the streets.
Finally, the City of Linden will be making improvements to our streets, sidewalk and parks through the use of state aid, grants and capital funds. About twenty five municipal streets and two merchant shopping parking lots will be resurfaced. With the help of the Union County, Elizabeth Avenue from Stiles Street to Park Avenue will be resurface. However, the biggest project (paid by grant money) will take place on North Wood Avenue. This project will included pedestrian safety improvements at the corner of North Wood Avenue and Elizabeth Avenue. The sidewalks will be replaced and extended out by four feet on both sides to allow for outdoors dining. Light pole replacement and other beautification project will also take place as well.