Manasquan, Belmar Tax Growth Compared to State Average
Manasquan's average tax bill percentage increase was more than the state's average; Belmar's was much less.
The average Manasquan and Belmar taxpayer pays less in property taxes than the statewide average, but Belmar's average tax bill percentage increase was well below the state's average in 2012.
In contrast, the average Manasquan taxpayer's bill increase was more than the statewide average.
The data is contained within a Star Ledger analysis that looked at the average bills in all 566 municipalities in the state in 2012, two years after the Legislature and Gov. Chris Christie enacted a hard 2 percent cap on local budget growth.
Manasquan had an average $8,017.70 tax bill in 2012, as compared to the $7,870.28 state average. However, the analysis found that the statewide average growth over 2011 was 1.7, with Manasquan's average bill increasing more than that: 2.1 percent.
Breaking taxes into municipal and school rates, Manasquan taxpayers paid on average $4,282 to schools, $1,844 to the borough and $1,890 to Monmouth County. The average school tax statewide was $4,120.16.
Belmar's taxes are less. Belmar had an average $6,460.96 tax bill in 2012, as compared to the $7,870.28 state average. However, the analysis found that the statewide average growth over 2011 was 1.7, with Belmar's average bill increasing much less than that: 0.4 percent.
The average tax for Belmar is $1,530 to Monmouth County, $2,379 to the borough, and $2,551 for school taxes.
The Star-Ledger noted that property taxes statewide rose 2.4 percent in 2011, the first year Christie’s 2 percent cap was in effect. But the trend of lower increases could be reversed because of Hurricane Sandy costs, according to the report.
| TOWN | AVERAGE COUNTY BILL | AVERAGE MUNICIPAL BILL | AVERAGE SCHOOL BILL | AVERAGE TOTAL BILL | PERCENT CHANGE FROM 2011 |
| Manasquan |
$1,890.48 | $1,844.97 | $4,282.25 | $8,017.70 | +2.1% |
| Belmar |
$1,530.22 | $2,379.07 | $2,551.68 | $6,460.96 | +0.4% |
| STATE AVERAGE | $1,425.45 | $2,324.66 | $4,120.16 | $7,870.28 | +1.7% |
paulie
11:09 am on Friday, January 25, 2013
Gee what a shock - Manasquan loves to spend, spend, spend.
Everyone is in for a real rude awakening once the lost tax revenue from Sandy is computed and the rest of us have to make up the shortfall.
STOP SPENDING WHAT YOU DO NOT HAVE!
Ron Jacobson
5:41 pm on Friday, January 25, 2013
Even a drunk sailor stops spending, when he runs out of money. It seems that our town government has it backwards. They spend and then figure out where the money is going to come from (don’t try to run your life this way). Well it is going to come from increased taxes!
Most of the town budget is fixed by labor contracts. Manasquan is one of a few towns that is totally union and Civil Service, a double wammy. The only way to work it out and be fair to the taxpayers is to address layoffs, shortened work weeks, furloughs or some other measures to relieve the labor burden. With less ratables, is it reasonable to assume less labor to maintain the town?
Of course they could stop the Plaza and the Eastmond Pavilion projects. That would help or at least let the taxpayers know they care.
DebbieK
11:38 am on Saturday, January 26, 2013
I agree,,, now what do you do with those responsible..of course no one is responsible right?
We have had a mayor that has given up his power to the rest of the bench. A administrator that "doesn't question what is spent but simply verifies that " funds are there" a rubber stamp attorney that says its legal... and on and on...
Manasquan was recently audited and not credible of meeting GAAP standards... Geez...
Where Grasso and Connelly really the bad guys here....
Marilyn
3:36 pm on Saturday, January 26, 2013
No, they were not the bad guys. They researched in detail and got some good things accomplished even being in the minority. The problem was public perception in what they were trying to accomplish. When trying to make changes it appears you are being contrary, when in fact, you are trying to point out areas that should be changed or improved. Sometimes Mr. Grasso's presentation was short on tact. The problem was, as I see it, they were not trying to be politically correct, they were trying to do what they were elected to do - represent the majority of the people by saving money, limiting spending and making informed decisions.
Njbeachbum
11:47 am on Saturday, January 26, 2013
How did belmars spending go up so much but not our taxes? Oh yeah I forgot, they raided the beach fund. Well at least on the surface it looks like the towns spending didn't grow and that is all the Mayor needs. When everything hits years later he will be long gone. Don't dig to deep in belmar reporters for the patch, you will hit sewer water politics.
Dame Bridgid
7:44 am on Thursday, January 31, 2013
The largest cost is the difference in school expenses. I checked both towns' cost per student & they are not that different. Manasquan is about $500 higher. But Manasquan has been dealing with a suicide cluster for the past 3 years that required a special outlay of funds. That money went to convince kids to stop jumping in front of trains. It is a good thing they already had that in place when Sandy struck.
I would rather see things get a little more expensive than bury more young people, wouldn't you?
Local Reader
9:29 am on Saturday, February 2, 2013
Where do you get your so-called "facts," from a comic book?
Manasquan's cost per student is significantly higher, as is the average school tax portion of each tax bill. But a K-12 is much more expensive than a K-8. Especially one that is laden with overstaffing issues.
Special outlay of funds related to suicides? Not really. There was a grant that has been over for some time. The problem in that district is nothing more than fiscal mismanagement, greed and an overpaid business administrator with an untouchable staff. Add that to having had a very bad Superintendent for 5 years. Let's hope they fix this soon.
Dame Bridgid
12:05 pm on Tuesday, February 5, 2013
If what you say is true, Local Reader, that makes it entirely different. I wish you good fortune in correcting the problem. I have no particular liking for people who take advantage of a school system for their own profit.
Manasquan
10:47 am on Saturday, February 2, 2013
this is a double-sided sword. manasquan council repeatedly issues bond ordinances and burdens the taxpayers with longterm debt. also prioritizes projects based on wants instead of needs. like a beach building. also, poor job of managing labor relations and benefits costs because you put retired cops in charge of current union cops and dpw workers. No one wants to do anything to cut costs because of the rampant nepotism and handshake deals. just watch, all the outrage over kevin thomspon in seagirt is going to no doubt land him a job in squan.
the school is screwed by bad funding rules. manasquan taxpayers have to cover all the fix-it expenses and the surrounding towns don't contribute. that's why nothing ever gets done there. place looks as crappy as it did the day i walked out the door and that was many moons ago. now the town and beach look just as bad. keepin' squan squan for sure!
charlie
3:42 pm on Saturday, February 2, 2013
Just got a call from Manasquan Schools about the Starfish committee. Saturday afternoon. Give me a break. I'm the knucklehead who has to retrieve all the "Important" voicemails.