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Below is a response from the City regarding the failed notices and accelerated tax sale. I believe the response is wrong headed to say the least. Rather than spread the tax burden appropriately between all taxpayers, the City chooses to mail delinquent notices too late to be satisfied and get extra cash from those residents who happen to be the unlucky ones that had not received proper notice. The City states that the notices were delayed due the fact that the City was under staffed. It's ludicrous. The City decides to put a quarter of tax roll (all owners that had not received proper notice) up for tax lien sale rather than raises taxes in the next year. I can't believe it. It's like the short story The Lottery. Let's see whether Asbury Partners's property is in the sale. I would certainly purchase one or two. From: Rick Diaz [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, December 06, 2004 4:59 PM To: Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Delinquent tax notices Dear : In response to your letter dated 11/29/04 to Councilman John Loffredo, I apologize for your inconvenience and frustration. The City faced a $4 million shortfall for the proposed 2004 municipal budget late in November 2003. $2 million was cut from several departments operating appropriations immediately. The other $2 million was identified as what is known as a reserve for uncollected taxes from the prior year. Municipalities are mandated to raise the uncollected taxes from the prior year in the subsequent years budget. In the event the City would have taken this course of action, it would have resulted in an approximate $0.50 increase in the tax rate-exclusive of any other increase. This would have been a significant burden to the taxpayers, and perhaps insurmountable hardship for others. The only option was to authorize what is known as an Accelerated Tax Sale, which allows the municipality to collect "all taxes" in the current budget year-however, the tax sale is moved up about one year because the City must have collected all taxes by December 31. This brings us to delinquent billing jeapordy, which is as stressful and frustrating to City employees as it is to taxpayers having to adhere to a new procedure, at what I consider to be the worst time of the year. A portion of our billing dilemma is a result of the State requirment that any City participating in the accelerated tax sale procedure is restriced from even beginning the process until November 11. In addition, by law, the City must have payment in certified funds or cash. This only gives us a small window (about six weeks) to update all tax and sewer data by the time of the sale, which is December 29. With a holiday and the largest annual municipal convention in the State occuring during November-the window is even smaller. To further, and unintentionally antagonize our taxpayers, our tax office was unusually shortstaffed in November. The tax collector required several weeks of emergency medical leave. Two of the tax assistants (not related), both lost family members over the same weekend and required bereavement leave. I believe that is the day you called for assistance and only one person was in the office. In an effort to comply with State requirements, and prevent the confusion and inconveniences from occurring again next year, the City is planning to mail several tax sale reminder notices prior to the November 11 date I referenced earlier. I think this would give taxpayers more time to prepare. Although we don't have a response from the State yet, I predict it will be favorable. I again apologize for our inability to address your concerns in a more professional manner. I totally agree that wonderful things are happening in Asbury Park-and they will continue. This City has been neglected for decades, for a host of reasons. The residual effect is also in several of our municipal operations, but we are making progress which will take a little time. This Mayor and Council, the City Manager, and the employees who service you and the other residents of this City are committed to improving the quality of life in Asbury Park. In the event you wish to discuss an issue or concern, or require information, please contact me at 732-502-5709. Have agreat holiday! With every best regard, Rick Diaz Finance Director 3 of 109 Include original text in reply. Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AsburyPark/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
