The tax hike shouldn’t come as a shock because most of it stems from a $20.8 million construction and renovation project approved by voters in September.
By: Linda Seida
WEST AMWELL If voters approve the $8.66 million budget proposed by South Hunterdon Regional High School’s Board of Education, taxes in the three sending districts of Lambertville, Stockton and West Amwell will be going up.
The tax hike shouldn’t come as a shock because most of it stems from a $20.8 million construction and renovation project that was approved by voters in a September referendum.
"There are no real surprises," said Business Administrator Julie Mumaw.
She called the proposed spending plan, which goes to the voters April 18, a "maintenance budget" that contains "no frills."
The district is not facing any cuts in programs or staff. On the contrary, the district will be able to offer more programs thanks to the construction and renovation project that will provide more space and also thanks to a planned schedule change set to take effect in September.
The tax rate varies because of a state-mandated equalization formula based on taxable property in each municipality.
Lambertville’s share is 54.63 percent. Stockton’s share is 4.58 percent. West Amwell’s share is 40.78 percent.
Property owners in West Amwell will see the steepest increase. The owner of a property assessed at the township average of $444,855 would pay $438.35 more for a total of $2,464.50 for the 2006-07 school year. The proposed tax rate in West Amwell is 55.4 cents for every $100 of assessed value, up from 49.2 cents when the average assessment was $411,819.
In Stockton, the owner of a property assessed at the borough average of $166,895 would pay $133.52 more for a total of $1,305.12. The proposed tax rate in Stockton would be 78.2 cents per every $100 of assessed value, up from 70.2 cents. The average assessment last year in the borough was the same.
In Lambertville, the owner of a property assessed at the city average of $330,000 would pay about $124.50 more for a total of $1,996.50. The tax rate in the city would be 60.5 cents per every $100 of assessed value, down from 65 cents last year when the average assessment was $288,000.
The tax levy, which is the amount raised through local taxes, would be $6,839,303.

