ASBURY PARK PRESS :: MONMOUTH EDITION

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ONLY ON NEWSSTANDS: COUPON SAVINGS UP TO $607

EXCLUSIVE REPORT
PROPERTY TAX CRISIS

TAXES UP

$537M

Biggest hike in four years, Press found

MICHAEL SYMONS @MICHAELSYMONS_

TRENTON - Hold onto your wallets: Property taxes in New Jersey increased by their fastest rate in
four years in 2015, with landowners shelling out an
extra $537 million.
The hike pushed the average local tax bill to
$8,354 for homeowners, up $193 from the prior year,
according to data compiled exclusively by the Asbury Park Press. Thats an increase of 2.4 percent,
despite a supposed 2 percent cap enacted in 2010.
The jump marks the second straight year New
Jerseys property tax hike has gotten bigger, after
three years of slowing growth in Gov. Chris Christies first term. Monmouth and Ocean counties fared
worse than most of the state with tax boosts of 2.6
percent and 3.3 percent, respectively.
The trend undercuts one of Christies selling
points as he touts his gubernatorial record on the
GOP presidential campaign trail. On his campaign
website, Christie says property taxes are rising at
their slowest pace in more than two decades.
The new accounting tells a costly different story
in a state where homeowners already pay the
highest-in-the-nation property taxes. That burden
helped drive nearly 14,000 to sign an Asbury Park
Press petition urging elected officials to cut property taxes. The petition came in tandem with Asbury
Park Presss investigation of the tax crisis last fall.

ROBERT COHN/ASBURY PARK

DESIGN STUDIO ILLUSTRATION

2.6%

Average property tax

increase in Monmouth.

3.3%

Average property tax

increase in Ocean.

$8,354

Average property tax in

New Jersey, the highest in
the nation.

$537M

Tax hike is the highest in

four years, Asbury Park
Press investigation finds.

$27.7B

Total taxes raised through

property taxes.

Inside, Page 5A

Stay or leave?
Adrienne DiPietros property taxes have tripled
See TAXES, Page 5A

See the breakdown by town

showing average property
tax in 2015, 2014 and percent
change.

To see a video about your property taxes, visit APP.com. Read our entire "Tax Crisis" series at app.com/taxcrisis

Lakewood planners expect more

explosive growth in coming year
SHANNON MULLEN @MULLENAPP

SHANNON MULLEN/STAFF PHOTO

Michael McLoughlin (left) and John Antonas sought to join

the Lakewood Planning Board this year.

Obama invites a Syrian

refugee to attend his State
of the Union Address. 1B

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LAKEWOOD - One of the most conspicuous types

of road signs here are bright orange, diamond-shaped
and carry a two-word message that could be a fitting
slogan for this town in 2016 and beyond.
Construction ahead.
With dozens of active work sites scattered all over
town, lately it seems like Lakewood is one, big construction zone.
And after a bumper crop of Planning Board approvals last year, its unlikely that the dizzying pace of development is going to slacken anytime soon, much to
See LAKEWOOD, Page 8A

OBITUARIES
OPINION
SPORTS
SUNDAY BEST
WEATHER

18A
4AA
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1E
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VOLUME 137
NUMBER 8

"6<;<3
 





"TCVSZ
1BSL
1SFTT
4VOEBZ

SINCE 1879

LLLLLLLL

Theyre taking a suburban environment

and turning it into an urban metropolis.
I dont think thats a smart plan.
MICHAEL MCLOUGHLIN