Burlco Bits

County Cuts Tax Rate for 22nd Straight Year

Burlington County freeholders cut $17.1 million in spending to pass a budget that once again cuts the tax levy and the tax rate.

After cutting $17.1 million in spending, Burlington County freeholders reduced the county tax rate for the 22nd year in a row.    Freeholders adopted a $199.8 million budget Wednesday that cuts the amount of tax dollars needed to run county government by $6.2 million, making this the fifth year in a row the tax levy has been reduced. Since 2007, taxes have been cut a total of $14.7 million and spending has been reduced by $26.8 million for the same period. This year’s budget calls for a cut in the county tax rate from 30.96¢ per $100 of equalized valuation to 30.91¢. “These multimillion dollar reductions in taxes and spending did not come easily but, once again, they come at a time when they are needed most,” said Freeholder Director Bruce…

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William James, Former Eagle, Pleads Guilty to Failing to File Taxes

The former pro cornerback admitted to not filing tax returns between 2005 and 2009 on $9.2 million in salary.

A former Philadelphia Eagles defensive back admitted in Camden federal court Wednesday he intentionally failed to file federal income tax returns on five years' worth of his football salary, and now faces up to a year in prison and a hefty fine. William James, 32, formerly known as William Peterson Jr., admitted to deliberately ignoring his obligations on roughly $9.2 million in salary in pleading guilty before U.S. District Judge Jerome B. Simandle. According to court documents, James, who now lives in Woodland Park, NJ, ignored advice from his accountant and financial team between 2005 and 2008, who repeatedly told him via telephone, in person and in writing of his obligation to file tax returns. James, who told his advisers at the time …

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Taxes to Increase Under Approved Budget

Tax appeals hurt township revenue, officials said.

Township committee members approved a $12.8 million budget Monday night that will see no decline in services or layoffs, but still an increase in taxes. The average household will see an increase of about $42 a year, or 1.9¢ per $100 of assessed property value for 2012-13. That figure is calculated based on a home valued at the township average of $289,000. The tax levy is $8,412,802, up about $350,000 from the tax levy last year. The township is receiving the same exact amount as last year in state aid, $1,920,745. The main reason for the increase, said administrator Gerry Seneski, is the amount of tax appeals filed. “We’re losing a lot of money in tax appeals,” said Seneski, whose last day with the township is Friday. “We were hit with a…

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John

2:18 pm on Saturday, September 1, 2012

I guess your ok with property values WAY OVER VALUED....they say our houses are valued at an average of $289,000 based on what year 2010....good luck getting that price now.....our assessments are way out of wack......wake up people, its only 1.9 cents per assessed 100.00, this is a joke.......   more ›

Burlco Budget OK'd, Average Cinnaminson Bill Drops $41

Burlington County freeholders give their unanimous approval to the county budget.

Burlington County freeholders adopted the $216.9 million county budget Wednesday with a unanimous vote. The spending plan cuts the average tax levy for the 21st consecutive year, and also reduces the amount of taxes collected by $5.9 million. The countywide tax rate average for the coming year is 30.96¢ per $100 of assessed property value, compared to 30.99¢ in the 2010 budget. With the equalized taxation, where each town pays a different tax rate, Cinnaminson residents will see a tax decrease. Cinnaminson is one of 34 towns countywide that has a decrease in the tax rate compared to last year. (Click on the PDFs to the side to see each Burlington County town’s tax rate and read the budget.) The 2011 Cinnaminson tax rate is 30.23¢ per $100 …

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Cinnaminson to See Slight Drop in County Taxes

Freeholder Director Bruce Garganio says the county's per capita spending is the lowest statewide.

Burlington County’s public hearing on the budget went off relatively quietly Wednesday, with only one Mt. Holly resident opining about the spending plan. A delay with state approvals thwarted freeholders’ plans to put the $216.9 million budget to a vote. Freeholders expect to adopt the budget at their June 22 meeting instead. As proposed, the 2011 budget cuts $5.9 million overall in taxes and cuts spending by $4.3 million. Freeholder Director Bruce Garganio touted the plan as the lowest county per capita spending in the state. Burlington County spends $483.45 per capita, compared with Camden County at $628, Atlantic County at $694 and Cape May County at $1,477, according to Garganio. “It shows we’re doing an awful lot with the dollars we …

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School Budget Reduced

Cinnaminson school board officials managed to reduce the tax impact for residents, two weeks after the original proposal.

School board officials shaved off about 2 more cents on the tax rate for the proposed 2011-12 budget, saving the average homeowner about $16 since the original proposal. For the homeowner with property valued at the township average of $295,000, that means a tax increase of $98, down from $114.  At Tuesday's regular meeting of the school board, Superintendent Salvatore Illuzzi said the budget is $143,975 less than what was proposed March 1. The budget now stands at $42,006,342. Business Administrator Thomas Egan said he found ways for the board to hire within to save money. "We also saw a reduction in our pension obligation," Egan said. After losing more than $3 million last year in reduced state aid, the school board already knew taxes …

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