Doherty/Sweeney Bill Allowing Counties to Share Tax Administrators Advances

TRENTON – The Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee advanced bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Mike Doherty and Senate President Steve Sweeney that would increase government efficiency and lower the cost to taxpayers by allowing counties to share tax administrators.

“Forcing every county in New Jersey to have its own tax administrator has undoubtedly contributed to our property tax crisis,” Senator Doherty (R-23) said. “By removing this outdated provision in State law, we can increase government efficiency, save taxpayers money, and broaden the knowledge and perspectives these professionals bring to the table.”

“This will encourage government efficiency through shared services,” said Senator Sweeney. “It can produce cost savings for county government and the taxpayers. Sharing a tax administrator will also improve efficiency by giving counties better access to information, allowing officials to gain a broader perspective of the tax policies. This is a way of making government services more effective and less costly.”

The bill (S-446), which passed the Senate last session as S-171, permits counties to share county tax administrators. Current law requires each county to appoint a full-time county tax administrator.

The average salary for a New Jersey county tax administrator is $120,000-$150,000, not including the cost of pensions and health benefits. County governments must also pay for clerical assistants, as well as the operations and management of an office for a county tax board and administrator.

“Inefficiencies at the county level are costing taxpayers their hard earned dollars. We must seize every opportunity to encourage local governments to share services, and bring these costs down. Allowing counties to share a tax administrator is a great start,” added Doherty. “I look forward to seeing our communities reap the rewards of this commonsense change.”