The Jersey City Municipal Caucus Meeting on June 23, 2025, focused on a resolution concerning the cancellation of a portion of real estate taxes for a specific property affected by a state taking. The discussion centered on a small part of Lot 4 in Block 11707, which was impacted by the Pulaski Skyway. The resolution aims to refund approximately $1,500 in taxes for the years 2021 through 2025 to the property owner, who had been paying taxes on the entire lot despite the state’s acquisition of part of it.

During the meeting, a council member raised concerns about the fairness of the resolution, questioning why similar refunds were not available for homeowners in Jersey City who had been over-assessed in the past. The member highlighted instances where affordable housing units were improperly assessed during a revaluation process, leading to higher tax bills that could not be refunded. This raised a broader issue of consistency in tax assessment practices, suggesting that if refunds are granted in one case, they should be available to all affected homeowners.

The deputy assessor responded by explaining that the current case involved a state condemnation, which follows different legal procedures than typical property assessments. The discussion underscored the complexities of tax assessments and the need for equitable treatment of all property owners in Jersey City.

The meeting concluded without a resolution to the broader concerns raised, leaving the issue of tax assessment fairness open for future discussions.