Shamong officials outline tax impacts and approve a record bill list

Shamong Township officials told residents on Aug. 6 that most of the coming increase in property-tax bills will come from county and school levies, and the committee approved a large bills payment list that includes several high-dollar items.

Township administrator Sue and finance staff said the average assessed value in town is roughly $310,642. "That means their 2024 taxes is gonna be $9,947, which is a $690 increase from last year, which represents 7.33%," the administrator said, attributing most of the rise to county and regional school-district increases. Earlier in the meeting the mayor had noted the township’s own share of the bill would be small — roughly $12 a year on a typical home — while urging residents to prepare for the county and school components.

During the meeting the committee reviewed a bill list totaling $5,565,960.38. Staff highlighted large line items including an Arawak paving payment of $1,240,922.56, a quarterly county payment of $934,905.04 and a payment to the district schools of $915,505.58.

On debt service, the township reported four bids to refinance a $995,000 bond balance. The winning bid came from the Township of Brunswick at 4.16%; other bids were Piper Sandler (4.48%), Oppenheimer (4.623%) and Pennsville National Bank (4.7%).

Staff also briefed the committee on projected health-care costs for 2025, citing a projected 17.2% increase; the township said it is exploring broker and HIF options and may seek a state-generated actuarial report to analyze exposure and retirees’ costs.

The committee approved payment of the bill list on recorded roll call after the finance presentation.