Mayors from across the state received bills from the State Treasurer Tuesday detailing a $12.5 million charge for State Police coverage.

Buena Vista Township in Atlantic County was charged $303,521 according to a letter signed by treasurer R. David Rousseau. Mayor Chuck Chiarello estimates that this will represent between 10-15 percent of the town’s $2 million budget.

This will not be helpful or positive for our community, Chiarello said.

Property taxes will go up on average $100 a household for Buena Vista’s 2,498 residents and $534 for local businesses, Chiarello said. The 2009 budget requires municipalities receiving police protection from State Police to enter into a co-sharing agreement with the state to continue receiving those services, the letter states.

In February, state officials gave municipalities three options: pay for State police services, create their own police force or consolidate with existing departments.

The figures for each town were determined by a model that allocated costs based on property value and types of property. Rates for each town vary. Towns must pay by December 15.

State officials and eight local mayors will meet tonight at 7 p.m. in Estell Manor to discuss the measure.

Sens. Stephen Sweeney, D-Cumberland, Salem, Gloucester, Jeff Van Drew, D-Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic, and Jim Whelan, D-Atlantic are expected to attend, in addition to mayors from Estell Manor, Weymouth Township, Corbin City, Port Republic, Folsom, Buena Vista, Egg Harbor City and Mullica Township. Little Egg Harbor and Mullica Township currently have their own police departments, while the other six are patrolled by State Police.

The meeting is at the Intermunicipal Court of Weymouth, Estell Manor and Corbin City at the corner of Cape May and Cumberland avenues.

See Wednesday’s edition of The Press for additional coverage.

E-mail Sam Fran Scavuzzo: SScavuzzo@pressofac.com