TR taxes up 7%

Today's Press of AC:

Toms River, whose Ortley Beach section was devastated by the storm, anticipates getting $5 million less in federal and state storm recovery aid this year. That is one reason why its proposed municipal tax rate is rising by nearly 4 cents per $100 of assessed value. Municipal taxes on the average house would increase to $1,365 this year under the budget, which is to be adopted soon. That’s an increase of more than 7 percent.

Township administrator Paul Shives noted that TR lost $2 billion in taxable property because of Sandy. The town got $20.6 million in federal and state storm relief last year, which helped avoid a huge rise in taxes for properties that were not damaged in the storm.

Toms River has applied for $15.4 million in federal Community Development Block Grant funding, noting “we still need assistance this year.” The town also incurred $1.2 million in snow removal costs that have to be paid for in the budget.