BY LINDA SMITH HANCHARICK
WEST MILFORD — West Milford's governing body is in agreement on the proposed change in funding for the Passaic County Technical Institute (PCTI)- they all oppose it.
And with good reason.
The proposal would change the funding formula for the county's technical high school which currently gets the bulk of its money from tuition from each sending district. The change would have tuition accounting for 30 percent, the county chipping in 30 percent and 40 percent coming from state and federal aid. Currently, the school is funded 51 percent from tuition, 9 percent from the county and 40 percent from state and federal aid. If the change is made, most districts, including West Milford, will see a steep increase in their county taxes.
Where it's coming from
According to Anthony DeNova III, the Passaic County administrator, this proposal is not coming from the county freeholders but from school board members in different districts in the county. Districts that send more students to PCTI, for the most part, would see a decrease in their costs overall. But West Milford sends just 50 students to the county school. The net increase to township taxpayers is projected to be $787,813 each year, according to the county.Mayor Bettina Bieri said a group of school board members who proposed this change got in touch with her after reading her comments in local media. She said they explained that they were overburdened with the state's 2 percent cap on district budgets and were looking for relief. The state instituted a 2 percent tax cap on property taxes back in 2010 with some exceptions.
"They are looking for other avenues to overcome the burden of the 2 percent cap," said Bieri, adding that they suggest the county cut their own budget.
That's something the township isn't counting on.
"We can't pass legislation based on what other entities might do," Bieri said. "Any change in the county portion to PCTI means an increase to us."
That is because the funding from the county to PCTI is the minimum allowed by statute.
"We need to support a resolution to oppose the change in funding to PCTI," she said.
All council members agreed. The township attorney will draft a resolution stating that position for the next meeting, which is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 17, at 6:30 p.m. in the township hall, 1480 Union Valley Road.
What do you think about the proposal to change the funding? Go to westmilfordmessenger.com and tell us your thoughts.