Bucco Bill to Outline Property Tax Savings to Homeowners Passes Senate

Legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony Bucco (R-25) that would allow towns to outline any municipal cost savings though shared services on homeowner’s property tax bills passed the New Jersey Senate.

“Many New Jersey municipalities are making bold moves to cut the cost of government by sharing services,” Bucco said. “We know this is a great way to reduce redundancy and lower property taxes, without sacrificing quality public services. We should shine a light on communities that are making an effort to save taxpayers money.”

Senator Bucco’s bill, S-1298, would allow towns to provide information on property tax bills regarding the amount of local tax dollars saved through shared services. It would permit the following to be listed on a tax bill: the number and type of shared services entered into by the municipality, the dollar value of the savings to the municipality from each of those shared services, and a total amount of municipal savings resulting from those shared services.

According to a recent report by the Asbury Park Press, property taxes in New Jersey have doubled over the past twenty years. New Jerseyans pay among the highest property taxes in the nation, averaging $8,767 in 2018.

“New Jersey homeowners are struggling to cope with the highest property taxes in the nation,” Senator Bucco added. “Towns that are making an effort to reduce this burden should be able to let their residents know they are being proactive to reduce government spending, which will translate into real financial savings for every Garden State family.”

Throughout his time in the legislature, Senator Bucco has fought against unnecessary new taxes and advocated for various solutions to reduce spending.

Last year, Bucco’s legislation to encourage shared services through cutting municipal red tape garnered bipartisan support and advanced through the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. He also sponsored a bill that would provide municipalities with the opportunity to start sending tax bills, construction permits, and receipts for municipal fees via email, modernizing township services while reducing the cost of paper and mailings.

In 2016, his bipartisan bill that would allow towns participating in a shared service project to apply for State grants and loans to help pay for the technological improvements like the installation of wireless infrastructure had passed the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee.

“This legislation is all about better educating the public on what their local community leaders are doing to help homeowners save money on their tax bills,” Bucco mentioned. “It will also hopefully encourage more towns to participate in these cost saving programs. Anything we can do to reduce spending while maintain quality services is a win for all.”