Passaic County adopts $468M budget
By: David M. Zimmer
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey
..... Passaic County officials adopted a $468 million budget Tuesday, [03/11/2025] increasing the tax levy by 1.8% for 2025 as they work to offset the loss of expiring federal relief funds.
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The additional $6.4 million in levied property tax revenue is part of a broader effort to close a $29.9 million budget gap cerated by the phase-out of American Rescue Plan act funding, said County Administrator Matthew Jordan.
..... With those COVID-era federal dollars no longer available, the county has reduced spending on one-time projects, cutting overall expenditures from $536.6 million in 2024. At the same time, officials said they plan to continue growing the reserve and fund balance, which reached $194 million last year. [2024]
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Despite the tax levy increase, the county tax rate is expected to decline as property value continue to rise. Since 2019, Passaic County's equalized property valuation has climbed nearly 50%, reaching $76.85 billion in 2024 as assessments and new buildings go up.
..... Budget allocations reflect modest shifts across departments. The Public Works, the Preakness Valley Golf Course and the Management Information System Department are seeing spending increases of more than 20%, while jail coasts are expected to drop by $2.7 million as the county continues outsourcing inmate housing and related services.
..... Spending on core services is also set to rise.
..... Investment in health programs and municipal partnerships are increasing with additional funding allocated for veteran, senior services such as Meals on Wheels and expanded transpiration options. Parks, historic sites and recreation facilities are also receiving more support.
..... County taxes have accounted for less than 22% of the overall property tax levy in recent years.
..... The average total property tax bill in Passaic County, last year [2024] was $11,278, state Department of Community Affairs records show.
..... The highest municipal average was $13,698 in Wayne, and the lowest was $9,927 in Wanaque.