Report: Aberdeen Property Taxes Increased by 4.8% in 2012

Property tax bills in Aberdeen rose 4.8 percent in 2012 from the previous year, while the state average increase came in at 1.7 percent, according to a report in The Star Ledger. Matawan property tax bills saw an increase of 0.6%. 

The newspaper's analysis found that statewide average increases were the lowest since 1991 and remained under the mandatory 2 percent cap put in place by Gov. Chris Christie. 

Aberdeen residents paid an average of $6,595.87 in property taxes in 2012, calculated with average contributions of $1,374.19 to municipal taxes, $812.74 to county taxes and $4,408.95 to school taxes, according to the report.

Matawan residents paid an average of $8,305.79 in property taxes in 2012, calculated with average contributions of $2,497.13 to municipal taxes, $884.52 to county taxes and $4,924.13 to school taxes, according to the report.

Neighboring towns are experiencing similar increases, although some remained under 1 percent:

• Keyport saw a one percent increase in taxes in 2012, with an average bill of $5,972.79.
• Highlands experienced a 4.4 percent increase in taxes in 2012, with an average bill of $5,990.23.  
• Middletown residents paid one percent more in 2012, with an average bill of $8,021.36.

According to The Star Ledger, Christie and local municipal officials believe Hurricane Sandy could result in unprecedented tax increases in badly damaged areas. 

A bill in the State Senate sponsored by Senate President Steve Sweeney (D) will promote shared services among municipalities, such as emergency services and public works. According to The Star Ledger, the bill would shrink government expenses. Municipalities without shared services would lose state aid.

In Manasquan, which suffered some of the worst damage from Sandy, local officials said the cost of rebuilding might drive up tax rates by at least 20 percent.