When we talk about Clark, NJ’s overall budget, one important part is the money used to run the town’s government. This part of the budget is called the General Government budget. It’s like the fuel that keeps the town’s government working, making sure that everything runs smoothly and people get the services they need.
Here is How The General Government Budget has Changed Since 2014
Appropriations for government operations in Clark have increased by $1,018,761 since 2014, a 77.42% increase. The largest increase of 19.53% occurred in 2020.
| Year | Amount | Increase Over Previous Year (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,334,524.00 | 6.87% |
| 2023 | $2,184,502.00 | 12.25% |
| 2022 | $1,946,160.00 | 7.97% |
| 2021 | $1,802,655.00 | 4.20% |
| 2020 | $1,729,829.00 | 19.53% |
| 2019 | $1,447,347.00 | -0.66% |
| 2018 | $1,456,926.00 | 2.20% |
| 2017 | $1,425,511.00 | 1.78% |
| 2016 | $1,400,571.00 | -4.00% |
| 2015 | $1,459,025.00 | 10.90% |
| 2014 | $1,315,763.00 | – |
These numbers come from the clark township web site at: https://ourclark.com/153/Finance-Department
What Does the General Government Budget Pay For?
The General Government budget in Clark covers the costs to keep the town’s government going. Here’s what it usually pays for:
- Salaries and Wages: This includes the paychecks for the mayor, council members, and other town workers like the clerk and town manager.
- Other Expenses: This money goes towards things like office supplies, legal fees, insurance, keeping buildings in good shape, and paying for electricity and water.
- Professional Services: Sometimes the town needs to hire experts like lawyers or engineers to help with special projects.
- Planning and Zoning: This part pays for the people and tools needed to plan how the town grows and where new buildings go.
- Miscellaneous Costs: These are the extra costs for things like training town workers, giving out information to the public, and joining important organizations.
In short, the General Government budget is what keeps Clark’s government running every day.
How Can This Budget Change?
The amount of money in the General Government budget can go up or down each year, depending on a few things:
- Salary Changes: If the town decides to give raises or hire more workers, the budget will go up. If they cut jobs or freeze pay, the budget might go down.
- Price Increases: If the cost of things like electricity or insurance goes up, the budget will need more money.
- Legal Costs: If the town gets into a lawsuit, they might need to spend more on legal fees, which would increase the budget.
- Building Projects: If the town decides to fix up or build new government buildings, that will also cost more money.
- Saving Money: On the other hand, if the town finds ways to do things cheaper or more efficiently, they can save money and the budget could go down.
How Can Problems Affect the Budget?
If the town’s government isn’t managed well, it can cause big problems for the budget:
- Bad Decisions: If the town spends money on things it doesn’t need or doesn’t keep track of its spending, it might run out of money. Then they’ll need to add more money to the budget in the future to cover these mistakes.
- Fraud or Corruption: If someone steals money or does something illegal, it can cost the town a lot. This means they’ll have to spend more money on lawyers or fines, making the budget bigger.
- Inefficiency: If the town isn’t working efficiently, like paying too much for services or having too many workers, it costs more money and makes the budget go up.
- Lack of Oversight: If no one is checking to make sure the money is spent correctly, small problems can grow into big ones, costing the town even more.
Why Does This Matter?
Even though it might not seem exciting, the General Government budget is important because it affects how well Clark’s government works. If the budget is managed well, the town can provide services efficiently, like keeping the streets clean and the parks nice. But if the budget goes up because of mistakes or bad decisions, there’s less money for other important things, like fixing roads or funding schools.
As a resident of Clark, it’s important to know how your town’s money is being spent. This helps you hold local leaders accountable and make sure your tax dollars are being used wisely. In the end, the General Government budget isn’t just about numbers—it’s about how well Clark’s government is serving you. By understanding where the money goes and how it can change, you can help ensure that your town is run responsibly.
