Title
Dept/ Agency: Offices of Municipal Council/City Clerk
Action: ( ) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending
Type of Service: Urging/Supporting
Purpose: Resolution seeking assistance for municipalities with significant tax-exempt properties
Additional Information:
body
WHEREAS, N.J.S.A. 54:4-3.6 provides for property tax exemptions for nonprofit organizations; and
WHEREAS, in 2014, the City of Newark, the State of New Jersey's largest municipality had $12,428,905,811 in commercial retables, and $10,861,438,300, or 46.6% of the tax base, occupied by commercial (Class 15) tax- exempt properties; and
WHEREAS, in 2015, the commercial tax-exempt properties in the City of Newark are anticipated to increase to above 47% of the municipal tax base; and
WHEREAS, the City of Newark recognizes the many benefits provided by non-profit organizations, typically at no cost or at a reduced cost, to Newark residents; and
WHEREAS, the City of Newark also recognizes that many of the service providers located in the City of Newark provide services not only to Newark residents, but to the larger community, including to residents of other municipalities in Essex County and those outside Essex County; and
WHEREAS, tax- exempt properties utilize many basic municipal services, including roads, police fire and EMT services, without contributing any funds towards the cost of such services through property tax payments; and
WHEREAS, the City of Newark has identified 79 municipalities in New Jersey which have more than 20% of their municipal tax base occupied by commercial Class 15 tax- exempt land, not inclusive of farmland assessed properties; and
WHEREAS, the Municipal Council of the City of Newark wishes to work with other municipalities with more than 20% of their tax base taken up by Class 15 tax- exempt properties, the New Jersey League of Municipalities ("The League")...
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