Hunterdon County tax rate again frozen at 2018 level in 2022 budget

HUNTERDON COUNTY, NJ – Calling it a clear result of the County’s conservative fiscal principles, the Hunterdon County Board of Commissioners introduced the 2022 County budget that once again freezes the county tax rate at the 2018 level of 31.5 cents per $100 of property valuation for the fourth straight year.

Board Director John E. Lanza, who earlier in the year encouraged the Budget Committee to freeze the tax rate again this year, said, “The Board members recognize the hardship being placed on individuals and families by an inflation rate that has not been experienced in decades. Freezing the County tax rate for the fourth consecutive year is one positive step this Board can take to help.”

Overseeing the submission of the final budget of his County Board tenure, Commissioner and Budget Committee member Matt Holt, who is retiring May 1, said, “I believe I have a duty to complete my assignment on the Budget Committee, working with Commissioner Shaun Van Doren, to deliver a 2022 budget that continues our conservative fiscal policies. Not only is the tax rate frozen again, but the budget continues our no debt program for the eighth consecutive year, protecting the taxpayers from the costly interest payments that have a negative impact on budgets in other counties, as well as the state budget.”

“If you cost out 2007’s near $100 million county budget over the last fifteen years at just the 2% cap allowed by the state – today the budget should be over $130 million. But with the fiscal controls and cost efficiencies that have been implemented the 2022 budget is under $102 million, even with the budget absorbing federal American Rescue funds as required by the state,” Holt said.

Commissioner Shaun C. Van Doren, a Budget Committee member along with Holt, said, “We should take a moment to focus on the unique fact that the county tax rate in the introduced budget today is the same as in 2018. There are very few items, if any, today that can claim to be the same cost as four years ago, particularly in this time of massive inflation. And while holding the tax rate in check, despite inflation and despite the pandemic, the County continues to effectively deliver the key government services mandated by the state and expected by our public.”

The county budget hearing is scheduled for May 17 at 5:30 p.m. in the Historic Courthouse on Main Street in Flemington.