West Orange Town Council Cuts Proposed Tax Hike To 1% (See Latest Numbers)

WEST ORANGE, NJ — A proposed tax hike in West Orange’s town budget continues to shrink, officials say.

The West Orange Township Council met for a public budget workshop last week, discussing several new cuts to the municipal spending plan. Watch video footage below or view it online here.

According to figures presented at the Sept. 17 meeting, the current proposed tax increase is in the ballpark of $24 – down from $243 in April and $80 in July.

“The draft budget from the mayor proposed to raise municipal property taxes by more than 6 percent,” Council President Joe Krakoviak reported at the beginning of the meeting.

“We've knocked that increase to around 1 percent, perhaps even under – and we’re looking for additional efficiencies and savings,” he said.

Council member Joyce Rudin told Patch that the increase is likely closer to “lesser than 0.5 percent.”

“The council worked collaboratively with our chief financial officer to reduce the tax burden on residents without affecting programming or staff,” Rudin said.

A public hearing for the budget is scheduled for Sept. 30.

Property taxes in New Jersey are mainly composed of three parts: municipal, school and county.

According to numbers presented at the council meeting on July 22, the school district’s tax levy increase for an average home is $263, and the estimated county tax increase is $45. Other projected tax levy increases included: library ($18), county open space ($8), and municipal open space (no increase).

• See Related: ‘Nightmare’ Tax Bills For West Orange Homeowners Linked To Revaluation

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