The primary focus of the meeting was the township’s role in collecting taxes for multiple entities, including the local school board, Middlesex County, and various fire districts. Officials clarified that the township does not set the budgets or tax rates for these entities; each is responsible for developing its budget, which is then certified by the state. The state’s late budget adoption, typically around June 30, often necessitates the use of estimated tax bills, a practice the council endorsed to manage cash flow effectively. Tax bills must be mailed by June 14, creating a narrow window for preparation, especially when the state budget is passed late.

One of the primary concerns was the confusion surrounding recent tax increases. It was noted that estimated billing for the first and second quarters was $2,750 each, with a third-quarter billing calculated at 5% of the previous year’s taxes, totaling $2,625. The total tax amount for the year was $11,000, broken down across the quarters. This breakdown led many residents to mistakenly believe their taxes had increased by 25% to 30%. Officials emphasized that the total billed amount remained consistent at $11,000, with different quarterly amounts resulting from the billing method, stating, “It’s just the breakout is different.”

Many residents, particularly senior citizens and families, have felt the financial strain from substantial increases in school taxes. Officials urged residents to attend Board of Education meetings to voice their concerns and gain a clearer understanding of how school budget decisions impact their taxes. “I think it’s very important for people to attend meetings,” one official stated.

Further clarification was provided regarding the average home assessment in Old Bridge, which is approximately 30% of market value. For 2025, the average tax increase for a home assessed at $157,373 would be about $898.64, while the municipality’s portion of this increase was only $25.18, highlighting that most of the increase stemmed from other entities, particularly the school board.

The township also addressed rumors about potential reassessment, explaining that even if a re-evaluation occurred, it would not alter the total tax revenue collected. Reassessment was described as a method of repositioning rather than generating additional revenue, with officials stating, “If we were to do a re-evaluation, we could still only collect the same amount by taxation.”

Residents were informed about various payment options available to them, including online, mail, or in-person payments at the tax window. The convenience of online payments and a 24/7 dropbox for tax submissions were highlighted as beneficial features. Additionally, the automatic withdrawal option was discussed, allowing residents to manage their payments with ease, receiving notifications before withdrawals.

Tax relief programs for veterans and senior citizens, which provide a $250 tax reduction, were outlined. Other state programs such as the property tax reimbursement program and the Stay New Jersey property tax credit program were also mentioned, with officials encouraging eligible residents to apply.