Hunterdon County’s Proposed 2023 Budget Holds Line On Taxes For Fifth Year

Hunterdon County property owners will not see their county taxes increase in 2023, the fifth straight year of no rises.

The Hunterdon County Board of Commissioners introduced the $108,301,856 spending plan at their public meeting last week. The county tax rate set by the proposed budget is 31.5 cents per $100 of property valuation.

The county government’s budget anticipates a combined revenue of $108.3 million to cover costs for services, projects, and 520 employees.

The budget covers spending for the commissioners and services overseen by them. It also appropriates funding to elected offices like the prosecutor’s office and sheriff’s office.

Hunterdon County Commissioner Board Director Zach Rich fulfilled his pledge made in January when he became director that the county’s tax rate will remain frozen for the fifth consecutive year.

Rich stated: “This board can keep in check for our taxpayers and homeowners the one cost that is our responsibility – the county tax rate,” despite escalating prices and rates due to inflation.

Rich attributed the achievement to the board’s conservative fiscal philosophy and solid financial foundation.

“The flat rate for five straight years doesn’t happen by chance, but rather is the result of a detailed budget review process,” said Commissioner Shaun C. Van Doren, a member of the budget committee.

Commissioner John E. Lanza, another member of the budget committee, commended the budget and stated that the success was due to “strong fiscal oversight, continued innovation in government, and commitment of our county department leaders in the budget process.”

In addition to freezing the tax rate, the budget also includes investments in county infrastructure such as bridges and roadway resurfacing, repairs and upgrades to culverts across the county, and improvements to county facilities.

“This year’s budget also leverages New Jersey Department of Transportation grant dollars by making matching investments in county infrastructure including bridges and roadway resurfacing,” Van Doren remarked.

The public hearing for the budget is scheduled for May 2 at 5:30 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Meeting room on the second floor of the Administration Building located at 71 Main Street in Flemington.