Camden's Budget and Analysis

The total size of Camden's operating budget has grown 26% after inflation, from $134 million in 2001 to $169 million in 2010, an average of 2.62% per year. While an increase of $35 million is large in absolute and per capita terms, and year-to-year swings of expansion and cuts have been very erratic, Camden's spending growth is actually somewhat slower than the 2.84% average annual growth rate in 2008 and '09 for all NJ Municipalities. This report analyzes trends in Camden's municipal expenditures since 2001.

Why is Camden in such persistent need of revenue? Costs are not just rising; revenue is falling. Poverty in the City, in the context of weakness in the broader economy, has meant that local revenues continue to decline as the State copes with its own budget shortfalls. The history of these revenues (local, special state aid, and formula state aid) falls into 3 phases.

Budget-Related Documents

Recent CamConnect Analysis of Camden Budget and Taxes

Philadelphia Inquirer Op-Ed on Camden's Economic Recovery by Stephen Singer, Executive Director of CamConnect.

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Previous CamConnect Work on Budget and Taxes

Camden's Fiscal Outlook:  A Review of the Revenues and Expenses in the Municipal Budget (Sept. 2007)

This report examines revenues for the City budget and explains

local sources, state formula aid, and state special aid.  This paper then examines expense trends and factors leading to increasing costs, including salaries, health insurance, and pensions.  This latest report has more context about how Camden compares to other cities in the State and the history of different aid programs affecting Camden.  This latest version includes information from the introduced FY 2008, which is subject to change.   (Posted 12/17/07)

Previous version with information through FY 2006 budget (June 2007)

Testimony from Derek Ziegler (former Exec. Director of CamConnect) - Testimony to the State Legislature prepared for the 1/30/07 hearing about the budget process and trends (see more details on this hearing below)

May 2006 Budget Summary Update - Four-page summary; contains updated data from the projected FY 2006 municipal budget.  (Posted 5/30/06)

June 2005 Budget and Taxes report in PDF format (0.5 MB)   (Posted 6/22/05) - has more background on staffing costs for municipal departments and property tax revenues.