WEST ORANGE, NJ — West Orange homeowners might be looking at a 7 percent tax hike under the draft town budget.
The 2026 municipal budget was one of the main topics of discussion at the town council meeting on April 14. View the draft version here.
According to Joe Krakoviak and Joyce Rudin – who each released statements about the budget after the meeting – the council has been awaiting the latest proposal from Mayor Susan McCartney.
Krakoviak reported that the proposal would raise the municipal operating budget by $4.15 million, or 6.25 percent, from $66.4 million to a projected $70.58 million.
Based on the 2025 average home assessed value of $615,472, the 2026 total municipal tax is projected to rise $312 – or 7.26 percent – from $4,295 to $4,607 this year, he said.
Property taxes in New Jersey are mainly made up of three parts: school, municipal and county.
Including the county and schools, total property taxes are projected to rise about $666, or 4.12 percent, from $16,162 last year to $16,828, Krakoviak said.
Rudin reported that this year’s budget was submitted to the council “very late,” a concern that Krakoviak .
“What will that bloated budget cost West Orange property owners, if adopted by the council?” Rudin wrote. “The average West Orange resident will see an increase in property taxes of $312 plus tax hikes expected from the school board.”
The town council will now review the budget proposal – potentially making cuts along the way.
Last year, the council reduced spending by more than $3 million and reduced the tax increase below 1 percent after being presented with a proposed 6.2 percent tax hike from the mayor’s office.
The council has scheduled its first budget workshop for April 27 at 4 p.m.
TOWN COUNCIL CANDIDATES
Several candidates who are running for town council this year bashed the latest budget numbers.
Justin Goldsman said the 7.26 proposed tax hike is a “nonstarter.” He called for multi-year budget projections and “more transparency and accountability” during the planning process.
Jackie Hendy said the proposed tax increase comes at a difficult moment.
“Many residents are still processing last year's revaluation, a correction that brought assessments to market rate, but one that was disorienting and deeply unsettling for a lot of households,” Hendy said. “Asking residents to absorb a significant new increase before that dust has settled is a lot to ask.”
Phil Orphanidis called the proposed tax hike “reckless” and “fiscally irresponsible.”
Kenneth Gibbons said living in West Orange is becoming unaffordable, with costs going up year after year.
“Also, let’s not forget: higher property taxes drive higher rents because landlords pass those costs through,” he added. “So, this impacts everyone – homeowners and renters alike.”
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