The mayors of Hightstown and East Windsor express their views on a proposal to examine property taxes in New Jersey.
By: Chris Karmiol and Scott Morgan
Property taxes are a sore spot for communities across the state. So much so that legislators and officials have rallied to garner support for a state constitutional convention to reform the way property taxes are levied for local government services.
In recent months, state lawmakers have drafted a sample resolution and asked that each of New Jersey’s 566 municipalities pass it in support of a constitutional convention to address the property tax issue.
According to the sample resolution, the purpose of the constitutional convention would be to "lessen the dependence of local government on property tax, reduce property tax as a share of overall public revenue and find alternative means of funding local government services." The resolution adds the implicit understanding of the "great political risk" the idea of raising property taxes poses for politicians.
Some governments have already taken the plunge to support the convention. Locally, Upper Freehold and Millstone townships have resolved to support the convention. East Windsor has as well, though tentatively.
"We took action on the resolution several meetings ago," said East Windsor Mayor Janice Mironov, "somewhat reluctantly."
The mayor and Township Council, which unanimously passed the resolution, echoed the sentiment that holding a constitutional convention is risky business, but possibly the only solution.
"The council feels very strongly about the need to reform the property tax system in New Jersey," the mayor said. "Regrettably, elected officials in Trenton have not stepped up to the plate."
In Hightstown, a decision has yet to be made. Mayor Amy Aughenbaugh said the borough has received the sample resolution, but has yet to introduce it to the public. Mayor Aughenbaugh referred to the convention as "the only vehicle that delivers on the promise of property tax reform," but said that she also wants to make herself fully aware of what the state legislators are asking her to do.
She said she wants to understand not only the council’s part in the convention process, but what also might be asked of individual voters. To that end, she said, she will be attending the Constitutional Convention Process for Tax Reform, a seminar held by the New Jersey League of Municipalities May 14 at the PNC Bank Arts Center.
In order to call a constitutional convention, two-thirds of those who vote on a question to hold a convention would have to say "yes" in November’s general election. The last constitutional convention was held in 1966, in which the number of state Senate seats expanded from 21 to 40.