HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Mayor Catherine Payne signed the Mayor's Pledge for Property Tax Relief, seeking to help Hillsborough taxpayers.
"Through this pledge, I am formally calling on the governor and state Legislature to fully restore our Energy Tax Receipts and increase municipal aid," said Payne at the Tuesday Township Committee meeting.
The pledge is aimed at easing pressure on local property taxpayers while helping municipalities continue to provide everyday services.
Those services include public safety, emergency response, sanitation, infrastructure maintenance, and other core functions that residents rely on.
"But like every household, Hillsborough is facing skyrocketing costs due to inflation, rising utilities, healthcare, and insurance. Alongside expensive new state mandates like stormwater management," said Payne.
The push for additional aid is meant to help towns manage those pressures without shifting more of the burden to local taxpayers.
Energy Tax Receipts were originally established to compensate municipalities for the loss of local utility property tax revenues.
Those revenues have not been fully restored over the years, leaving local budgets to absorb the shortfall.
"Property taxpayers deserve meaningful relief, and that relief must begin with a stronger commitment from the State to support local government," Payne stated in a release. "By restoring Energy Tax Receipts and increasing municipal aid, the State can help communities remain strong, fiscally responsible, and responsive to the needs of the people we serve."
Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Hillsborough, NJ Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.