Stafford Township introduced its 2012 municipal budget, totaling $39.7 million, by way of resolution at the council meeting of April 16. The public hearing on the budget will take place June 4, when the budget is up for adoption.

Mayor John Spodofora announced the 2012 budget increased by $744,250 (1.91 percent) over 2011, while coming in $2.2 million under the spending cap and $1.6 million under the tax cap.

If adopted, the budget would result in a tax increase of $11.45 based on the average assessed home value, Spodofora said. The average ratepayer could also see increases of $6.80 for water and $20 for sewer, billed quarterly and largely attributable to increased fees to the Ocean County Utilities Authority for wastewater processing, Township Administrator James Moran explained. —V.L.