Overriding the preference of the borough’s finance chief, the Tinton Falls Borough Council last night shot down a budget proposed by Mayor Peter Maclearie in favor of one with no increase in the property tax rate, today’s Asbury Park Press reports.

Maclearie’s plan would have boosted the rate by 1.8 cents per $100 of property valuation. Instead, the council opted to use $300,000 of surplus to offset the increase, the Press reports.

The unanimous action came just a week before an election in which three of the council’s five seats are up for grabs.

From the story:

Prior to the vote, Council President Brendan Tobin — one of six candidates running for election — asked [finance chief Steven] Pfeffer if the council’s move would jeopardize future budgets.

“I do prefer the mayor’s plan,” Pfeffer said. “I think it’s a solid plan. I think it’s too early to tell what kind of effect this is going to have.”

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