Supervisors set advertised tax rates; real‑estate at 0.67, personal property at $3.10

The Gloucester County Board of Supervisors voted to advertise proposed tax rates for the coming fiscal year, setting the advertised real‑estate rate at 0.67 and the tangible personal‑property rate at $3.10.

Board members debated how high to advertise the real‑estate rate while the school division sought additional local funding. County staff had presented a set of options tied to the school request; the board heard discussion that an advertised rate higher than the county administrator’s earlier framing would preserve options as the county and schools negotiate funding. Several supervisors said an advertised rate is not the same as the adopted rate and allows flexibility during budget deliberations.

Supervisor Mister Crisco moved to advertise a real‑estate rate of 0.67 and a tangible personal‑property rate of $3.10; another supervisor seconded the motion. During the roll call, votes in favor were recorded from Mister Hudson, Mister Smith, Mister Krisko, Mister Nikosha and Doctor Orf; Mister Bezani and Mister Gibson voted no. The chair announced the motion carried.

Board members emphasized that advertising a rate does not commit the county to the final adopted tax rate; the county will continue budget work sessions beginning Monday and will hold required public hearings before adoption. Supervisors asked staff for detailed spreadsheets and spending breakdowns ahead of upcoming meetings to inform deliberations. The supervisors also requested staff prepare a presentation on the fire station funding questions raised by residents.

The advertised rates will be published as part of the county’s budget notice and will be subject to public hearings and final adoption later in the budget process.