Even if there is a modest increase at this point as a home owner it is better then getting clobbered over the head. Is it political? Most likely. Does it save money this year? Yes. Will we pay down the line to live like captors? Yes. But for today if there is any increase it will be tiny.

What's he talking about, the property tax went up 1.5% in 2011 from 69.03 to 70.08 per $1000 assessed value. It goes up every year.

You'd think an election was coming up. What's next, will Newark Ave get paved?

Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy says new fiscal year budget provides for no rise in taxes

February 21, 2012, 10:53 PM
By Charles Hack/The Jersey Journal

Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy told the City Council today that the 2012 municipal budget will provide taxpayers with a flat municipal tax levy for the second year in a row.

The $469,300,340 spending plan, which is set for introduction at tomorrow night's City Council meeting, would represent a 6 percent decrease from last year's $501 million municipal budget. The amount to be raised by taxes -- $201,988,256 -- almost unchanged from what was budgeted for 2011.

"The proposed budget provides a flat tax rate -- once again -- for the year 2012, and creates a flat tax, which means once again no tax hike," Healy said.

Healy said the flat tax was accomplished because the city has seen increased revenues and lower costs since last year.

The mayor pointed to increased revenues from the hotel-occupancy tax, construction permit fees, payments in lieu of taxes and the proposed sale of police headquarters on Erie Street.

He noted that state funding is unchanged from 2011.

The mayor said costs are down because of last year's layoffs, a $6 million cut in pension costs due to "legislative reforms" in Trenton and a less-costly healthcare plan for city employees and retirees.

Ward E Councilman Steven Fulop said that Healy mischaracterized the so-called flat tax rate.

"Last year was the same. He said no tax increase, and when the final budget was adopted it showed another tax increase," Fulop said. "This time he has the tax reval waiting to clobber people after the election."

Healy stuck by his statement.

"The municipal tax rate did not go up last year and once again it will not go up this year," Healy said.

The budget will be adopted after a public hearing that is tentatively scheduled for March 28. Tomorrow night's council meeting begins at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 280 Grove St.