This is an outstanding budget and I congratulate each of you for you attention to the details of this plan as well as your vision of the future. Before we proceed with the details of this budget and present the entire plan I want to say early in this presentation for the benefit of those citizens and press in attendance that there will be no municipal tax rate increase this year . It is important to distinguish at the outset, however, that while the tax rate will not increase municipal spending will. The increase in appropriations is largely due to multi-year collective bargaining agreements negotiated in 1998 by the previous administration. Agreements, I must add, that were appropriate, fair and responsible.
Local government is a service intense business.
This is as it should be because the primary responsibility of local government is the safety of our residents and maintenance of our infrastructure. 2000 was a challenging year for energy costs. Our public works vehicles, fire trucks and police cars consume diesel fuel and gasoline. The Denville Department of Public works has a stellar reputation when it comes to snow and ice removal from our roads. This level of service comes from the highest quality management and dedicated staff.