OPRA me this - where's the individual tax rates used in the 3rd Qtr. Estimated Property Tax Bills?

 Well, you know those 3rd Qtr. Estimated tax bills that come out with just one number on it that say - 2023 3rd Qtr Tax Due. No other description of what's in it or even how they came up with it. The only thing you'll find in there is some Mr. Shrink-flation ill-timed propaganda.

I'll-timed since in an election year, and it looks like the only taxes being raised are on the Muni-side of town.

Be that as it may, every time they issue another 3rd Qtr. Estimated tax bill (which unfortunately always happens because the Muni-budgets are the last to be done - guess they can only figure out how to budget for 6 months of a calendar year), I make an OPRA Request to get the individual rates they used to come up with estimated number.

You can easily figure out that this year's 3rd Qtr. Estimated tax bill comes with a total property tax rate of $5.923 (Per 100), which is exactly the same as last year's total property tax rate.

Seems kind of odd though, wouldn't you think? 

There are 7 different taxes that make up the total property tax bill here in Downtown Edison:

• There are 4 Muni-related taxes; Muni-tax, Muni Open Space tax, Library tax and Garbage Dist. 1 tax (if applicable). 
• There are 2 County taxes; County tax and the County Open Space tax. 
• And finally, the School Tax.

Now, not for nothing, don't you think with 7 different taxes in the mix that it's a tad bit odd that this year's total property tax rate of $5.923 (Per 100) is exactly the same as last year's down to the tenth of a cent?

Sure does seem odd here. Something kind of doesn't make sense - and when something doesn't make sense, it usually will impact the 4th quarter taxes when nobody is paying attention. Don't know yet until I see the individual rates used but sure is a possibility that by keeping the total property tax rate the same as last year at 5.923 (Per 100) can hide the tax increase of nearly 3% built into the 2023 Muni-budget in these 3rd Qtr. Property tax bills for 2023. 

You know, these are difficult times these days for a lot of people in this town struggling with inflation and making ends meet who don't have time to pay attention to the nonsense that goes on in this town - and it would be awful to let people think there are no built-in tax increases when they look at their 2023 3rd Qtr Estimated tax bills.

Anyway, quickest was to see what's going on here is to get the individual rates used in the estimate and do some comparisons as well as comparing them to last year's property tax bill. 

All the budgets in this mix that make up the total property tax bill are done except for the Muni-side of town, so the only numbers waiting resolution are the Muni-budgets subject to Council review and adoption, which looks like on July 26, 2023.

Here's the OPRA Request sent on June 29, 2023 - the day I got my bill.

Now, given that the town has already paid someone to come up with this total property tax rate and the 3rd Qtr. Estimated tax bill for 2023 went out close to two weeks ago - you have to ask yourself what's the delay in providing the individual rates used in this estimate? Requested these rates every time in the past and never had a problem getting the rates quickly once the property tax bills went out.

Clearly, it's public information and readily available in the tax department and the People of Edison have a right to know how they came up with the amount they are forcing taxpayers to pay. Why the delay in showing that the $5.923 (Per 100) total property tax rate is correct? Surely, they understand a lack of transparency now will be easily seen when the 2023 Final/2024 Preliminary Tax Bill hits in the 4th Quarter.

Yet, here I sit here writing this post, still waiting for the individual rates. 

So, if (by chance) there are any Council Members who see or hear about this post, maybe you can help get access to these numbers (that apparently is meeting with some administrative resistance) so we all can see if these numbers make any sense. Not for nothing, but one would think you should already have them for your review of the 2023 Muni-budgets and just in case a resident asks a question about these one-number property tax bills - but I could be wrong about that, who knows what administrative resistance they face too.

Anyhoo, as soon as I can get a response or see the 4th Qtr. Property tax bill, whichever comes first - I will show you what's in there and see if it makes any sense.