Reader Submitted
To the editor:
In response to Mr. Lester’s recent letter to the editor in the Hopewell Valley News, I wanted to correct and clarify the record.
At the township committee meeting on October 23, Chief Financial Officer Elaine Borges, a licensed professional affirmed, “Hopewell Township has the lowest municipal tax rate in Mercer County, as well as the lowest equalized municipal tax rate.” Mr. Lester’s letter falsely suggests otherwise, and improperly looks at the total tax rate for the Township which includes the school and county taxes.
Ms. Borges went on to note that Marty Guhl, the director of the Mercer County Board of Taxation, confirmed that Hopewell Township delivered the lowest equalized municipal tax rate in Mercer County. This analysis is now publicly available on the Hopewell Township website at: http://www.hopewelltwp.org/273/Tax-Collector. Look for the link at the bottom of this page for “2017 Municipal Equalized Tax Rates.”
As a former committee member, Mr. Lester should be well-aware that Hopewell Township does not have control over the tax rates set by the county nor the school district. Sad to see “fake news” like this being imposed on township residents.
Several additional important points of note regarding the township finances:
- Hopewell Township has held the line on taxes over the past two years, delivering an average rate change of only 1.1 percent per year. This is well-below NJ’s 2 percent cap, as well as the rate of inflation;
- In 2017, the township has reduced operating expenses below 2015 levels, while managing the increased cost of state mandates on affordable housing, bringing back valuable services like Bulky Waste and back-filling key township positions;
- Debt has been reduced as well, reducing future interest costs significantly;
- Hopewell Township maintains a AAA-rating from S&P due to its strong track record of fiscal management.
Kevin Kuchinski and Michael Ruger have championed fiscal responsibility in Hopewell Township and deserve our vote for Hopewell Township Committee. Please join me in voting for both Kevin and Michael on November 7.
Debbie Ayers
Hopewell Township
