Budget Has $45 Tax Bump for Average Homeowner

The average homeowner in Hackettstown will see municipal taxes rise $45 in the coming year, now that the budget has been put together.

Hackettstown’s overall budget went down from 2012 to 2013, but the tax levy — the amount paid for by commercial and residential property taxes — went up slightly, making for an increase in next year’s tax bill.

The majority of that difference comes in the form of debt service pay-down, according to town Chief Financial Officer Danette Dyer. Included in the tax levy is $101,000 of debt service. The levy’s increase year over year was a total of $104,323.10.

The remaining $3,323.10 increase came from a loss in commercial and residential rateables, Dyer said.

Working with a state mandated 2-percent tax levy cap, the town council created a budget that sees a 1.68-percent increase in the coming year. The increase in 2012 was 1.89-percent.

The average home value in Hackettstown is $280,000. Property tax increase for homeowners with that value will be $45, or $3.75 per month with a tax rate of .564, or $0.56 per $100 of assessed home value.

Hackettstown's municipal budget includes all town personnel and expenditures, including police, department of public works, fire and municipal building employees.

Residents do not vote on municipal budgets unless the spending plan exceeds the 2-percent tax levy cap.

If you could vote on this spending plan, would you approve or deny it? Tell us in the comments.