GCN Archives 1950-2005; Gloucester City Local Tax Rate Decreases; 1st Time In 16 Years
Tuesday, November 01, 2022
Previously published in the Gloucester City News 1986
GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (1986)--"For the first time in 16 years, the citizens of Gloucester City will realize a decrease in their local purpose tax. On top of this, our administration plans to implement over $200,000 in capital improvements this year," commented Independent Mayor Robert Bevan at last Thursday's budget meeting.
"City departments will be upgraded, the city's parks and playgrounds will be improved, and streets will resurface.
"The future of Gloucester City looks bright thanks to the new systems that council put into effect this year. I want to thank members of the council, especially those on the finance committee, for their hard work on this year's budget, " said the mayor.
The new budget, which passed unanimously, increased approximately four percent and totaled $5,920,490 or $225,235 more than the 1987 figure of $5,695,255. To be raised by local taxation is $1,758,289 or $582 more than the $1,757,707 appropriated in 1987.
As a result, the local purpose tax will decrease from $1.36 per $100 of the assessed home value of $30,000. As a result, the owner will pay about $399 or $9 less than last year's bill.
Councilman Bart Rettew, (I) finance committee chairman, said the council was able to reduce the local purpose tax because of the reassessment of Holt Marine Terminal which added $6 million in new tax ratables. Likewise, Rettew said the city's surplus position improved as Holt became current on taxes for the first time in its association with the city.
The members of the Finance Committee, Rettew and Councilman Jack Brant (I) and George Skipton (D), released the following explanatory statement on the budget. It reads in part.
The Gloucester City Finance and Administration Committee recommends a 2 percent tax decrease will result in a local purpose tax rate of $1.33 per $100 of assessed valuation, a decrease of $.03 from 1987.
The local purpose tax provides revenue to support city services such as trash collection, police, fire, and ambulance services; operation of the city library; maintenance of parks and playgrounds; utilities for volunteer fire halls, trash disposal, lighting and cleaning of streets.
written by William E. Cleary Sr., Editor and Publisher