Property taxes rose at slower pace in 2011

Property taxes rose at slower pace in 2011

New Jersey’s highest-in-the-nation property taxes continued to rise in 2011, although at a slower rate than in previous years, according to figures released by the state Department of Community Affairs.

The average annual property tax bill was up $183 from 2010 to 2011, to $7,759. That’s an increase of 2.4 percent, slightly more than half the 4.1 percent increase seen between 2009 and 2010.

New Jersey has had the highest property taxes in the nation for many years.  (Mikle, Gannett)

http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20120208/NEWS02/302080017/Property-taxes-rose-slower-rate-2011?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|State

Special Report: Did N.J. property tax reform help most taxpayers?

Special Report: Did N.J. property tax reform help most taxpayers?

New Jersey homeowners paid an average of 2.4 percent more for property taxes in 2011, the smallest increase in nearly two decades, showing Gov. Chris Christie’s push to restrain local levies might be working.

A Star-Ledger analysis of taxes in all 566 New Jersey towns shows the average property tax bill was $7,758 last year, an increase of about $182 from 2010.

Although more than 82 percent of the towns saw some increase in their average property tax bills last year, the 2.4 percent increase was a significantly slower rate of growth, the newspaper found. In 2010, property taxes rose 4.1 percent and year-over-year increases topped 7 percent for three consecutive years in the middle of the past decade.  (DeMarco and Sagara, The Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/01/nj_property_tax_increase.html

Christie seeks help of mayors and municipal officials in forcing legislative action to reduce property taxes

Christie seeks help of mayors and municipal officials in forcing legislative action to reduce property taxes

Gov. Christie asked hundreds of mayors and municipal officials Thursday for help in forcing legislative action on three policy proposals he said would reduce property taxes.

With Democratic leaders sitting on the dais next to his lectern, and with Democratic politicians scattered throughout crowd at the New Jersey State League of Municipalities convention, the Republican governor toned down the rhetoric he has recently employed against them.

But he said the Democrats who control the Legislature won't move on his money-saving ideas unless local officials cajole them.

"It will not happen without your gentle encouragement," Christie said. "And so we need your gentle encouragement in the next 60 days and beyond."

In a flurry of statements issued minutes after Christie's speech, Democrats returned fire on the issue of property taxes, faulting the governor for cutting state aid to municipalities instead of hiking income taxes on the rich.  (Katz, The Philadelphia Inquirer)

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/new_jersey/20111118_At_convention__Christie_seeks_local_help_in_plan_to_reduce_property_taxes.html

State Senator Mike Doherty : Fair School Funding

Under Mike Doherty's plan of Fair School Funding, Ridgewood Village will get back $42,050,037 more each year for school funding!


http://fairschoolfunding.com/

What we do not have is a "Master Plan" for how the town will survive financially.

What we do not have is a "Master Plan" for how the town will survive financially.


This town will spiral into bankruptcy. When a home is sold, it is usually to a young family. No empty nesters have moved on to my block in the 20+ years that I have lived here. School populations have been growning, as has the "need" for more fields. My taxes have increased each year, this year I have an increase in the face of decreased services.

What we do not have is a "Master Plan" for how the town will survive financially. We have a master plan for development and apparently one for for fields. How will we stay solvent with a constant population shift?

I lived here for about 7 years before having children. When my kids are finished with the school system I will join my friends and former nerghbors in a move to a town with low taxes. There are many possibilities. My 5 bedroom house will probably be sold to a family with 3 children. They can pay my $31,000 taxes and enjoy the schools and other services that the town has to offer. 

If my husband and I stayed in town it would be better for the town financially - no kids in the school and $30k+ in taxes. I can think of a lot of things that I could do with a 20k savings (per year!in property taxes. Travel comes to mind.

So think about this as you focus all your funds and energies on sports fields and the quest for sports fame. You will never have enough

Credits just a ruse for lawmakers to buy votes

Credits just a ruse for lawmakers to buy votes

So what do legislators, drooling over an unexpected $500 million to $900 million in tax revenues, plan to do with their good fortune? Use it to buy votes. (Stile, The Record)

http://www.northjersey.com/news/politics/political_stile/122214354_Credits_just_a_ruse_for_lawmakers_to_buy_votes.html

Towns cut back in wake of vote

Towns cut back in wake of vote

What are people willing to live without in exchange for lower property taxes? For residents in a dozen towns in New Jersey, the answer is police officers, libraries, garbage pickup and senior services. (Fleisher, The Wall Street Journal)

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704330404576291530541990942.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Christie says he’ll restore property tax rebates – as credits

Christie says he’ll restore property tax rebates – as credits

Gov. Chris Christie said he intends to restore property tax rebates to some New Jersey homeowners.

However, the check won't be in the mail. (Mulvihill for The Asssociated Press)

http://www.dailyrecord.com/article/20110126/COMMUNITIES/301260007/1005/NEWS01/Christie-says-he-ll-restore-property-tax-rebates---as-credits

A ‘shadow inventory’ of foreclosed homes dampens winter market

A ‘shadow inventory’ of foreclosed homes dampens winter market

New statistics provide a glum holiday-time snapshot of the real estate market: shrunken sales pace, bloated inventory and a “shadow inventory” of foreclosed homes looming menacingly in the background. (Martin, The New York Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/12/realestate/12njzo.html

People’s Tool Kit’ offers ways to rein in spending

People’s Tool Kit’ offers ways to rein in spending

 If you're impatiently waiting for state government to deliver the much-ballyhooed toolkit, a good-government group is pitching some do-it-yourself projects it says can ease your property taxes. (Symons, Gannet)

http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20101112/NEWS01/11120325/-People-s-Tool-Kit-offers-ways-to-rein-in-spending

Valley Renewal: The opposition to Valley masterfully played on the emotions, fears, and paranoia of the Travell and BF parents to create broader opposition

The opposition to Valley started as an argument about the impact on the property values of Valley' neighbors. That group (the neighboring homeowners) then masterfully played on the emotions, fears, and paranoia of the Travell and BF parents to create broader opposition and paint Valley as the "evil Empire".

The reality is that no kids were injured the last time Valley expanded in the 1980s. Dozens of current Ridgewood homeowners attended BF at the time, including some of my neighbors, and I have never heard anyone mention any way that that construction adversely impacted their education or that of their brothers and sisters. None have ever mentioned any long-term health problems related to dust from the last expansion. You must keep in mind that Valley will have a hospital full of patients while the expansion is occurring. They will have to mitigate dust and asbestos out of their own self-interest in order to not harm those patients and provoke litigation.

The traffic argument is lame. 90% of the traffic on Linwood has nothing to do with Valley. The expansion adds no additional rooms. The only additional traffic will be from additional outpatient business, which may increase traffic by 3-5%. Not a big deal. The Van Dien intersection will get expanded, but Valley already owns a couple of the homes involved.

I also am tired of the argument that an expansion of Valley will result in Ridgewood declining and turning into Hackensack or Engelwood. Hackensack hasn't neen an upscale town for over 50 years, and has always been far more industrial than Ridgewood. The homes around Valley are zoned residential. You couldn't turn one into a medical building if you wanted to.

I am a Travell parent, live within a few blocks of the hospital, and am in favor of Valley's expansion. I think that the weak state of the downtown business district, our ridiculously high property taxes, and the current fiscal situation of the town and school system are much more important issues in Ridgewood.

Ridgewood homes are being devalued by high property taxes.

Ridgewood homes are being devalued by high property taxes.

Ridgewood homes are being devalued by high property taxes. I agree with you that the Ridgewood voters have approved budgets in the past, however, this year they did not support the budget but had it shoved in their faces just the same.

Each and every time the BOE has asked the taxpayers to approve a budget it was with the threat of losing services benefitting our children. Basically our kids are always being held hostage by the BOE and we are bartering for their release. While I am confident the Public Information Officer, another sweet BOE deal, could put a slick spin on this: the fact remains a bigger and bigger piece of the pie is going to teacher, admin, staffing salaries and benefits. Less and less is going to the classroom and parents are supplying/paying for everything from workbooks the toilet paper!

8 of 9 years tax increases were rubberstamped. that's part of the problem. people are only finally looking at what's going on behind the scenes. we're paying "professionals" to manage the affairs of the town and they are failing miserable. the one year when people were finally pushed to the brink and rejected it, nothing happened. the 100k cut is a a slap in the face to the voters. but the BOE has no problem spending $48m if the bond passes by 50 votes. funny how that works.

btw i'm not comparing a teachers job to someone at starbucks, i'm comparing it to an office-type job. believe me, there are plenty of people with good educations etc. toiling away for less money/benefits. teachers may have a tough job but it doesn't mean they're worth what they're getting. open it up to the free market. get rid of the f'n union.

i'm sure the schools would still be quite good if the salaries were lower. first of all, where would our teachers go? there are no other schools hiring for the same reasons R'wood is not hiring. secondly,there are plenty of good teachers getting laid off from catholic schools etc. which are closing who by the way would love to make anywhere near what R'wood teachers make.

don't give me the scare tactic of the town going to shit if we don't pay up. i've heard it before and we're all sick of it. i've got several kids in the schools and i'm more worried about saving for their futures than i am to pay your fucking medical insurance.

thed

REPORT: Property Taxes in 16 of 21 New Jersey Counties Among Worst in America

REPORT: Property Taxes in 16 of 21 New Jersey Counties Among Worst in America

http://blog.savejersey.com/2010/06/27/report-property-taxes-in-16-of-21-new-jersey-counties-among-worst-in-america.aspx

Forbes Magazine ran a sobering story on Friday analyzing the top 25 worst counties in America for property taxpayers. The Forbes people ranked the counties by the percentage of homeowner income zapped by annual property tax bills. Unsurprisingly, 16 of New Jerseys 21 counties made the list.

I included the median property tax bill next to each county. The income % figures are even more astounding! For example, 8.5% of the average Passaic County homeowner's paycheck is devoted to paying property taxes. 8.5%!!!

The list:

1. Passaic County - $6,928
2. Union County - $7,007
2. Essex County - $7,535
5. Bergen County - $7,797
9. Hunterdon County - $8,224
9. Hudson County - $6,007
12. Camden County - $5,311
12. Warren County - $5,673
12. Somerset County - $7,597
15. Monmouth County - $6,494
16. Sussex County - $5,803
17. Morris County - $7,281
19. Middlesex County - $5,861
19. Ocean County - $4,021
23. Mercer County - $5,734
25. Atlantic County - $4,277

2.5 percent solution : we the people can say if we want to pay higher taxes

Ingle: The big fight is over 2.5% cap

As I was saying, you can forget about those predictions of a state shutdown over the budget this year; it will pass on time. The fight is over Gov. Christie's proposed constitution-backed 2.5 percent annual property tax cap. The governor's proposed constitutional amendment, which needs to be passed by the Legislature by mid-July to be put on the ballot in November, would limit property tax growth to 2.5 percent with only two exceptions — debt service and voter override, the latter meaning we the people can say if we want to pay higher taxes. (Ingle, Gannett)

http://www.app.com/article/20100623/OPINION05/6230338/1093/The-big-fight-is-over-2-5-percent-cap

Donovan Supports 2.5 percent "Hard Cap" - Calls McNerney "Poster Child" for Reckless Spending

Donovan Supports 2.5 percent "Hard Cap" - Calls McNerney "Poster Child" for Reckless Spending

Kathleen A. Donovan, Republican candidate for Bergen County Executive, today strongly endorsed the constitutionally guaranteed 2.5 percent "hard cap" proposed by Governor Christie calling it "the only real tool that taxpayers can count on to bring fiscal discipline to local, county and state government."

Ms. Donovan added, "Unfortunately, Bergen County government under the administration of County Executive McNerney is the poster child for reckless spending and undisciplined growth at taxpayer expense and prime example number one of why we need the 2.5 percent hard cap."

According to Ms. Donovan, " Had the 2.5 percent "hard cap" been in place since Mr. McNerney was first elected County Executive taxpayers would have saved a startling $292,108,922 overall and an incredible $85,069,545 in 2009 alone. Over the last seven years Mr. McNerney has increased the tax levy by an average of 5.84 percent every single year and over 48 percent in total." Ms. Donovan said that the 2009 increase alone cost every single resident of Bergen County approximately $100 reflecting "one of the biggest spending sprees in government history." By comparison, during her tenure as County Clerk the office has generated revenue of approximately $1 billion over expense. Through the efficient management of her office Ms. Donovan has generated savings equal to some $300 for every Bergen County family.

"The 2.5 percent "hard cap proposed by Governor Christie and supported by me would bring real tax relief to taxpayers who have paid the price for Mr. McNerney’s lack of leadership and fiscal restraint."

Ms. Donovan criticized an alternative Democrat plan which would impose a statutory or "flexible" 2.9 percent "soft" cap describing it as, "an effort to side step New Jersey voters and put in place another temporary fix in the grand tradition of Trenton." She continued, "the Democrat plan is another scheme which is little more than a public relations fix. We have learned over and over again that these temporary measures don't work."

According to Ms. Donovan, "Senate President Sweeney's proposal falls far short of the 2.5 percent hard cap. The only way to assure fiscal prudence in government is by setting clear parameters. Otherwise, all fiscal discipline disappears the next time there is a rebound in the economy and we then find ourselves in an even worse situation once the cycle changes."

Noting that she has reduced the budget in the County Clerk's office the past two years without sacrificing customer service Ms. Donovan said that local, county and state government "can only learn to do more with less by being forced to do more with less. And the best way to find out if taxpayers who are footing the bill want government to do more with less is to put the question to a vote through a constitutional amendment requiring a statewide referendum."

Ms. Donovan said that regardless of what's instituted in Trenton she will impose a 2.5 percent cap on spending by county government and its entities. "I said when I announced my candidacy that when elected the days of wine and roses would be over. I meant it. County government will set the example and work with Bergen County municipal governments to allow them to do more with less and make our towns and county affordable for working class families again."

"We have all had our wake up call," Ms. Donovan concluded, "and we are not going to fall back into the abyss."

New Jersey School administrators and supervisors pay up 13 percent from five years ago

Ingle: Why your property taxes are high No. 678

A DataUniverse analysis of school administrators’ pay shows that 91 of them make more than $200,000 a year. And that’s eight times the number that made that much just five years ago. The analysis showed that 9,061 administrators and supervisors were paid a total of $1.1 billion and that’s up 13 percent from five years ago. The governor is paid $175,000 a year. (Ingle, Gannett)

http://blogs.app.com/politicspatrol/2010/06/07/why-your-property-taxes-are-outrageous-no-678/

Gov. Chris Christie : "The legislators in Trenton are scared to death of giving that power to you,"

Christie: if property taxes rise, 'I'll tell you where to go'

Presenting himself as the people's champion against an entrenched culture of Trenton government, Gov. Chris Christie asked residents to lean on their elected officials to pass a referendum question that would cap government spending at 2.5% and require a ballot question for spending outside the cap. "The state didn't elect me to run a charm school and they didn't elect someone to nuance this thing to good health," said Christie, reflecting on a 70% uptick in property taxes statewide over the past decade. (Pizarro, PolitickerNJ)
http://www.politickernj.com/max/39498/christie-if-property-taxes-rise-ill-tell-you-where-go

Valley Renewal: Residents in the area effected are emtitled to receive reductions in their property tax assessments

Valley Hospital’s neighbors have expressed fears for some time that their property values will decline during Valley's massive "Renewal" construction project .

It is pointed out on many occasions and particularly by the Concerned Citizens Group that the Village’s own land use and development laws set forth guidelines that should be followed when officials are considering building design and placement. A consultant was even brought in to make recommendations and tone down the project and make it both usable for Valley yet not overwhelm the neighborhood.

As it stands current Village code calls for buildings that "promote a desirable visual environment which is harmonious with the character of existing development and which enhances the character of the surrounding neighborhood and the Village as a whole, and avoids adversely affecting the value of adjacent or nearby properties."

Neighbors have voiced several main concerns including increased traffic and congestion, a huge construction project near a large middle school and the overwhelming of the neighborhood buy such a huge building not in fitting with the Village of Ridgewood's character.

To many neighbors its seems obvious that the area will for sometime become a less desirable place to live so when resident Edward Markus asked the board if they were considering whether depressed property values, due to the effects of construction, would entitle residents in the area effected to receive reductions in their property tax assessments. The Board responded with the standard "I know nothing" made famous by Sergent Schultz in the TV series Hogans Hero's.

That is not good enough. Clearly the neighborhood will be taking the brunt of the "Valley Renewal " so perhaps its time to consider that, face facts and act accordingly.

the Staff of the Ridgewood blog

article in the Ridgewood News :http://www.northjersey.com/news/94557754_Safety__effect_on_property__values_concern_neighbors.html

Gov. Christie takes his 2.5 % limit on property tax increases to the people of New Jersey

Gov. Christie takes his tax cap plan to the people New Jersey

Gov. Chris Christie is taking his plan to stem the nation's highest property tax to the people. And he started on Monday in an unusual place: Corzine country. The Republican governor held his first town hall meeting in Hoboken … home of former Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine … to talk about his push for a 2.5 percent limit on property tax increases that would require voter approval to exceed. A majority of the 40,000 people living in the 1-square-mile city, where Corzine has a waterfront condo, supported the former governor during the election. (AP)

http://www.app.com/article/20100517/NEWS/100517025/1007/NEWS03/Gov-Christie-takes-tax-cap-plan-to-the-people

Village Council Elections : I thought it important to put a few things into perspective before Tuesday

Fellow Ridgewood residents,

I thought it important to put a few things into perspective before Tuesday. First, I have and never will post on any blog without signing my name. Therefore for those who beleive that some posts came from me or through me by someone else I can assure you that is incorrect. Additionally, I will never respond to an anonymous post. If anyone wishes to communicate directly with me they may do so at tomr611@yahoo.com
I will respond to you directly and if you send me your telephone number I will call you. For those of you who have made up their minds on this election, I thank you for your participation in our great system. I would only hope that you made your decsion by being properly informed.

I clearly understand that when you make a decsion to seek public office that there are those who will not support you. Unfortunately, in today's cyber world, inuendo and shock statements seem to be the rule. I have decided to run because of my love for Ridgewood. I have lived here for over 32 years and have spent many years volunteering in various capacities to make this a better place to live. The decsions facing our Council are complex and far reaching. Often, the public is unaware of what goes into the decsion. Certainly, as your Councilman, I need to do a better job of communicating that process to the residents.

Ridgewood is now faced with a new era of fiscal restraint. I understand how important that is to many of you. So many residents have approached me with their concern about the consistent rise in property taxes. I have no quick fix for that problem, however this next Council must set a policy of control and prudence over our tax dollars.

I ask for you support and confidence with your vote on Tuesday. Together, we can move Ridgewood forward.

Thank You
Tom Riche
tomr611@yahoo.com