Mayor wants to address tax revaluation concerns
TRENTON » With business owners and residents reeling from their new tax bills — some of which have tripled — Mayor Eric Jackson announced Friday that he is assembling a tax taskforce of experts.
“I’m really concerned about the revaluation,” the first-term mayor said Friday in a phone interview. “I’m not a tax expert. I’m not a reval expert. But I’m bringing people in who are to meet directly with our community, our residents and our business owners to have a one-to-one dialogue in the next week or two.”
Business owners flooded last week’s council meeting with concerns about their tax bills and the revaluation process.
“Mine alone was increased almost $33,000,” Brian Hawkins, owner of Hawk’s Towing told city council on Aug. 3. “My son’s shop was increased $29,900, which is around the corner.”
A friend of Hawkins had his taxes shoot up an absurd $100,000, the owner said.
“We need some help,” Hawkins pleaded. “This is crazy. People are going to start closing doors.”
Jackson said his job in to grow businesses and the economy in the city as well as balance taxes.
“It’s not to run businesses or residents out, particularly due to revaluation,” the mayor said. “I convened an expert task force that’s going to help me work with the community to hear individuals and see where there’s some room under the codes
where we can make some slight tinkering, adjustments, to help those to make sure that people are reading their tax bills accurately. I don’t want one business to leave our city.”
The city’s property reevaluation was triggered in April 2014 when city council awarded a $1.965 contract to Whippanybased Appraisal Systems. The company has conducted the revaluations the last couple of years.
In 2010, Jackson said the Mercer County Board of Taxation ordered the revaluation for more than 30,000 residential and commercial properties because the last one was conducted in 1992.
Appraisal Systems’ job performance has also been questioned by city leaders and business owners.
When asked if the revaluation would be redone, Jackson said “I’m not an expert in this field so I’ve got to tread lightly.” “I want every option explored,” the mayor said. “That will be one that we look at but the truth of the matter is I don’t know if that can done only because I’m not expert
in that area.”
In a statement, Jackson said Appraisal Systems was “very communicative with taxpayers leading up to and during the revaluation, urging community
members to connect to them if they had questions or concerns.”
Trenton Councilman George Muschal is holding a community meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 5 at Tropical Family Restaurant at 5:30 p.m. to address residents’ concerns.
“It’s going to be a regular meeting for anyone who wants to
show up,” the South Ward councilman said, adding he expects a full house with business owners and residents. “The people don’t really have an idea of what’s really happening. I think the majority of people are confused. Nobody is there to give them any kind of help. Hopefully, we can bring a little bit of relief.”
Muschal said a financial expert
will be on-hand to address residents’ concerns.
The mayor also outlined that his administration will hold community forums in the weeks ahead but no dates were provided.
“It’s important that we have this conversation and see where we can make this thing a little more palatable for everybody,” Jackson said.