Action Center
Wednesday July 9, 2008
State Aid Helps Keep Tax Bite at 4 Points
The end of the state aid question is not making it easier to make ends meet.
Councilman Keith Kazmark said Trenton restored about $6,700 of the borough’s $160,000 state aid cut. According to Kazmark, the news was recently posted on the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Web site, shortly following state budget passage last week. The town will adopt its spending plan at the originally forecast four points at the July 16 Borough Council meeting.
Kazmark said the token reinstitution amounted to far less than initially expected.
“Not only was I surprised, but I’ll say on the record, I was disappointed.”
The councilman said the assistance decrease, although saving Trenton money, falls on taxpayer’s shoulders.
“In reality, the cuts to the municipality results in a tax increase that the municipality can’t control. We’re raising taxes to bridge the gap of the aid the state cut.”
A full reinstatement would have halved the four-point municipal levy boost. Using surplus would not compensate for the trimming, he said, since the reserve fund is still borough dollars.
Kazmark said the town tax hike, at four points, is “nominal.” He said that the entire levy rise – comprising town, scholastic, and county – is 14 points. The average borough taxpayer will see roughly a $250 property tax increase.
West Paterson, overall, is fortunate, when compared to other cities, Kazmark said, adding that throughout the state, municipalities are dealing with sharper tax hikes and state aid reduction. Kazmark cited Elmwood Park, where he serves as borough administrator.
“In Elmwood Park, we’re in a situation where we we’re cut $700,000, and the restoration is $11,000 and change. It’s the largest cut in Bergen County.”
The councilman said he feels the borough is in good financial straits. He said the Four Seasons at Great Notch, a growing southeast side condo site, has been generating revenue for the borough.
“It certainly helped us, and it’s only going to help us more going forward.”
Final tax bills will be mailed by the end of August, he said, adding that the mailing will take place after budget ratification and county tax board formalities.
Reprinted with permission. (c)2008 Passaic Valley Today (Passaic Co., NJ) Tom Boud
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