This page 6 article provides some good reporting by William Clark. He quotes the Mayor as calling the increases “shocking.” And he is showing signs of real journalism. But we need to watch for that. It’s not usually their style.
She blamed most of the increase on an increased school budget.
Joyce Klein, the new OGHOA President, said that increased home valuations in Neptune are a problem for Grovers in particular. She claims that increased valuations in OG are “disproportionate..” and that many who have been increased have done no improvements in their homes to justify such assessments.
She worries that some residents will be forced to sell their homes. And then she claims that buyers will be investors. But what evidence is there for that claim? What we are getting are 2nd homers, and that is often just fine.
The Coaster is still the best source of OG news coverage and their e-edition is very well done.
Note: Eileen and I went up 21% without any new work done in our home. I guess it’s about the rising market values for our homes. But what percent occurred in Shark River Hills or elsewhere in Neptuneland?
An. anonymous commenter sent in two on the same day and then complained that I was ignoring him/her. I don’t know what went wrong, but if you have trouble with our comments button, then just send us your comment by email: Blogfinger@verizon.net
Comment: Disagree. 2nd home buyers are often not necessarily a good thing. No longer are blocks stable without regular daily neighbor. Vacant unlived-in homes on a block are not secure – safe.
I do agree that OG taxes and tax increases are unfair . Taxes should be based on services rendered not on homes value
If that can’t happen then I think to protect seniors (many on limited income) valuations and taxes should be on their original purchase price.
Let the affluent new buyers who are paying very high prices pay taxes based on their purchase price. Of course this would never fly but seems fair to me and a way to allow long time seniors to remain . It is a shame that high taxes drive people to sell and leave.
And: While improvements might increase assessments and taxes, the main cause is increased valuation.
That is : Higher and higher sale prices of nearby homes raise one’s valuation and assessment and taxes. Taxes should be based on services rendered not on nearby home sales.
Editor: There are many reasons why people sell, and probably most of the time it is not the taxes. But there should be more relief for seniors, and the Governor is working on a dramatic change in that. And how about discounts for those who have no kids in the school. There was a small town near us in Chester which had large beautiful homes on big properties, but relatively low taxes because their kids went to private schools. Any further comments will be shown on the comments section.
Does Mack the Knife work at Neptune Tax Office? What did they do to Louie Miller?
Never understood why folks without schoolchildren or without kids in Neptunes public schools have to pay aprox. half their taxes to fund the Neptune school system. Many parents in OG send their kids to private – parochial schools which cost them a good amount of $$. So in effect they are paying taxes for schooling their kids don’t even go to . This seems unfair and should be changed.
Disagree. 2nd home buyers are often not necessarily a good thing. No longer are blocks stable without regular daily neighbors . Vacant unlived in homes on a block are not secure – safe.
Do agree that OG taxes & tax increases are unfair . Taxes should be based on services rendered not on homes value. If that can’t happen then I think to protect seniors (many on limited income) valuation>taxes should be on their original purchase price. Let the affluent new buyers who are paying very high prices pay taxes based on their purchase price. Of course this would never fly but seems fair to me and a way to allow long time seniors to remain . It is a shame that high taxes drive people to sell & leave.