The average Guttenberg taxpayer will likely see a $100 increase in their bills for the next six months after the Town Council approved a new tax rate at their meeting Monday.
Drasheff said that by September, the town will approve its budget, and in doing will so finalize the total amount to be raised by taxes. Drasheff said that it was important that they set the tax rate Monday night to avoid having to collect based on estimates.
The board voted to set the overall rate of $61.50 per every $1,000 of assessed property that a taxpayer owns. That means someone owning $100,000 of property will pay $6,150 in taxes per year, or half that amount over the next six months.
The rate includes all three components of the tax bill: county, school and municipal taxes. Only the municipal portion (a rate of $26.40 per thousand) is set by the city budget. The school and county portions are calculated based on the school budget – which voters can approve or reject each April – and the county budget, which the county Board of Freeholders usually votes on in June.
The county rate is $11.40; the school rate is $23.70.
“It never ceases to amaze me the restraint these men and women show.” – Gerald Drasheff
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During the council caucus, Drasheff said that this same property owner would see their overall town, county and school taxes equal around $7,000 for the six month period.
Drasheff said that taxes are rising because the town and school budgets lost state aid this year.
In crafting this tax rate, the board took into consideration that the Guttenberg Board of Education’s $13 million budget is not finalized yet. The voters rejected it in a vote in April, so it went back to the town for more cuts. After some wrangling between the town and the school board – the latter of whom thought the cuts were too severe – they asked the state for more aid.
Depending on whether or not the state approves the request, the overall tax rate will be changed.
The six-month tax rate was set at Tuesday’s meeting instead of one spanning 12 months, because the city is preparing to introduce a six-month budget in August. The council made the decision to transition to a calendar year budget in January rather than a July-to-June fiscal year, as a respite from dealing with current state budget woes and to make tax bills easier to understand for Guttenberg residents.
Makes new positions
The council approved an ordinance creating two new positions. An administrative assistant will now be paid in the $30,000 to $40,000 range, while an assistant foreman for the Guttenberg Department of Public Works will have a salary in the $27,000 to $40,000 range.
Drasheff said that the administrative assistant position was a reclassification of the insurance controller, Maria Bello, whose job was being expanded to “reflect the additional duties.”
Appling for streetscape grants
The council approved a grant application to the New Jersey Department of Transportation, stating that Park Avenue from 68th to 71st Streets is in need of repair.
In another resolution they approved a grant application to the state Department of Transportation to try to repair 68th Street.
Guttenberg also applied for a New Jersey Department of Transportation 2011 Safe Streets Transit grant. If approved, the town would get funds for handicap ramps, benches, signs and markings in the area between 71st and 68th Streets from Kennedy Boulevard to River Road.
Recognizes students
The council recognized several North Bergen High School graduates, who are from Guttenberg and former Anna L. Klein school students, with plaques for their academic achievements.
North Bergen High School class of 2010 valedictorian Raider Alvarez and salutatorian Brenda Argueta were recognized. National Honor Society members Rana Ferdous, Stephanie Herrera, Taleda Lopes, Evelyn Pereira, and Eman Abughanam were not present, but will receive accommodations for their high marks.
Officers of the month
Director of Public Safety Michael Caliguiro recognized Sgt. Charles Hughes and Police Officer Rafael Martinez for their work on June 12. They were named Police Officers of the Month because on that day, they managed to subdue a man who came into police headquarters threatening Hughes to shoot him, or he would shoot Hughes.
Martinez managed to enter from the other door, allowing himself and Hughes to subdue the man.
“It never ceases to amaze me the restraint these men and women show,” said Drasheff.
Tricia Tirella may be reached at TriciaT@hudsonreporter.com.