With a nearly $154 increase in annual municipal property taxes, Gloucester Township residents spent hours voicing concerns to council.
At the latest council meeting, hundreds of Gloucester Township residents crammed inside the municipal court, voicing concerns for several hours about the potential increase in taxes related to the 2018 budget introduced on March 26.
At its prior meeting, Gloucester Township Council approved a resolution introducing its 2018 budget of $61,893,753.69. This year’s tentative tax rate is 1.091, which is a .079 increase from last year.
According to Council President Orlando Mercado, the average assessed home is valued at $195,000, configuring an annual increase of $154.05 in municipal property taxes. Mercado says the average household will pay $7,798 in taxes, with nearly $2,100 to the municipality.
The budget has a tax levy increase of $3,464,367. The municipal rate will increase 7.9 cents per every $100 of assessed property value. Township officials say that every one-cent increase in the local municipal tax levy is equal to $439,380 in tax revenue for the township.
Dozens of residents questioned council’s need to raise taxes.
“You’re raising our taxes because you say you need the money,” resident Nancy Schmidt said. “But why are you spending so much?”
Mercado said the taxes, which, for every $1 averages about 29 cents toward the municipality, go toward the upkeep of various township services, including the police department and public works.
“You contact the police, they show up. You put your trash on the curb, it’s picked up,” he said. “If you want to have your children participate in activities, there’s activities for them.”
According to Mercado, crime has decreased about 35 percent since 2010, which he attributes to increased policing resources that come from taxes.
Residents noted incidents in which the township claims to have reduced spending, like Mayor Dave Mayer saying the township has saved more than $2.5 million over the last five years, according to his Ask the Mayor series.
The public asked why such savings, as well as the ratables from the Gloucester Premium Outlets, do not reduce taxes.
“There are services that we have to provide to the residents of our township each year,” Mercado said. “Those services go up incrementally.”
Residents also questioned the increase in foreclosed homes throughout the township in relation to the increase in taxes.
“There’s nothing in Blackwood except abandoned homes,” resident Lillian Burg said.
With more apartments in Blackwood, the public said the township should be getting more taxes for those properties.
Throughout the meeting, some homeowners, particularly seniors, stressed they’re now paying more money in taxes than on their actual mortgage.
“I see empty, blank faces never feeling sorry for the people in the audience,” Schmidt said. “Like myself and my husband who are seniors, and now the taxes are more than our mortgage payment on our home.”
Residents suggested council cut down on municipal employees’ pensions and benefits.
However, Mercado said the municipality has contractual agreements with six unions to which it must adhere. The unions determine a certain amount of money designated for pensions. He noted council is working with the unions on employment contracts.
Resident Ray Polidoro suggested council consider using a larger venue, like Timber Creek Regional High School, to conduct the designated public hearing on April 23.
“The reality is, no one can afford to live here anymore,” Burg said. “You have to think of the people that live here and want to stay here but they can’t. … I’m sorry, but you’ve got to help the people who want to stay here. Because, one day we’re not going to be here and neither are you.”
