Our Record
Sherman, Francois, Prasad and Regan are all experienced Council members who guided Franklin through these tough times. Below are a number of accomplishments of the Democratic lead Council and our vision for the future.
- Financial Prudence
- Reduced size of Government
- Smart fiscal planning
- Reduced Township budget by almost $5,000,000 since 2009 (8.1%)
- Reduced the size of government by 13.7% since 2009
- Reduced payroll by 10.1% since 2009
- State aid reductions of 23% since 2009
- Revenue decrease of 29 % since 2009
In addition while the cost of health care increased nationally 13.5% Franklin cut its costs 5.99%
Fiscal responsibility with long term as opposed to short term fiscal planning has been the underlying goal driving governmental decisions. Despite difficult times:
- Maintained an AA + debt rating
- Ensured that Franklin maintains one of the lowest debt percentage levels of any municipality in the region (keeping the long term outlook for Franklin’s affordability positive as opposed to other debt burdened towns)
- Hired a grants writer
- Instituted a needs analysis to shepherd our $16M open space fund
- Performed an operational audit saved millions
In addition to finances – our team has taken important efforts to maintain/improve Franklin’s desirability as a place to call home
- Initiated open space analysis for land most in need of open space preservation
- Continued to make local government more inclusive by:
- Youth drop-in center
- Cultural Arts committee
- Highest rate of new business permits in New Jersey
- Progress in the Redevelopment area to revitalize Rt. 27
- 4th of July celebration funding to save taxpayer money
Televising Planning and Zoning Meetings
Live coverage of meetings
Initiating a citizens review of the budget
Numerous public hearings for public input on major decisions
Increased opportunity for public input
Increased web access to public records
- Continue to look for more ways to obtain cost efficiencies
- Maintain a continued vigilance against haphazard growth
- Continue to work to attract new business and ratables to Franklin