West Orange Town Budget Update: Public Hearing, Proposed Amendment

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The West Orange Town Council will hold a public hearing for the proposed municipal budget on Tuesday, Aug. 1.

The council meeting will take place at 7 p.m. at 66 Main Street. See the agenda here. Learn how to attend the meeting virtually here.

What was once a 16 percent potential municipal tax hike has been chopped down by nearly 10 percent, according to figures presented at a recent budget hearing. Read More: Proposed West Orange Municipal Tax Hike Lowered, Council Reports

If a proposed budget amendment is adopted, it will further reduce the amount to be raised by taxes from 6.74 percent to 5.8 percent, chief financial officer John Gross told Patch on Monday.

The potential tax increase has been seeing some vocal pushback from residents at recent town council meetings. Read More: Frustrations Over West Orange Budget Broil At Council Meeting

The town council has been holding multiple public workshops on the budget over the past few months. Videos are available for the following dates (click to view): May 18; May 24; May 31; June 8.

Catch up with some of our other recent budget coverage below (click headlines to read the article):

• 3 Ways To Reduce A Looming Tax Hike In West Orange
• Budget Debate Continues In West Orange: Why The Sudden Increase?
• Sewer Fees Increase In West Orange; Council Gives Green Light

Property taxes in New Jersey are generally made up of three parts: school, municipal and county. Read More: Average Property Tax Bill In West Orange Is Growing, Latest Data Shows

The West Orange Board of Education approved the district’s school budget in May, clearing the way for a 2.66 percent hike to the school portion of local homeowners’ property taxes. A home assessed at $336,591 will see a $309 tax increase, bringing the school portion of its annual tax bill to $9,495. Read More: Tax Hike Imminent As West Orange School Budget Hits Finish Line

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