The Hoboken Tax Reform Coalition
Reform Is...
The conversation 'What Is Reform' got me thinking. Part of the problem with 'reform' is the expectation of dramatic flourishes, however the system is bad in many small ways. I thought I'd look at a smallish ordinance on the City Council agenda and see how it fits into 'reform.' Would you agree this ordinance is reform?
Reform is... "An Ordinance ... Amending ... License and User Fees"
The ordinance raises fees for new construction, certificates of occupancy, renovations and the like. With any luck it will pass at the next council meeting.
Why is this reform?
The ordinance raises fees for new construction, certificates of occupancy, renovations and the like. With any luck it will pass at the next council meeting.
Why is this reform?
If reform is defined as acts that promote efficient and equitable government this is it.
- Enforcing the construction code cost the city ~$1.2mm while taking in ~$500k in 2008, according to Councilman Lenz at the last meeting. So the current system is a subsidy of construction in Hoboken, most will agree that it is not in the public interest for the tax payers to further subsidize development in Hoboken. -> promotes more equitable government
- Enforcing the construction code cost the city ~$1.2mm while taking in ~$500k in 2008, according to Councilman Lenz at the last meeting. So the current system is a subsidy of construction in Hoboken, most will agree that it is not in the public interest for the tax payers to further subsidize development in Hoboken. -> promotes more equitable government
- User fees are made more reflective of the actual cost for the service, an increase makes government more transparent. Councilman Russo believed the $1mm indicated inefficiency in the department, if revealing the true cost of enforcing the construction code makes voters agree the council and Mayor will be incentivized to find inefficiencies -> promotes more efficient government
Tax benefit a side effect of reform.
-These changes look to reduce a ~250K-$600k annual shortfall in our budget. The numbers aren't earth shattering, they are .5% of the budget which means ~1% of property taxes, but they move the town toward the right goal.
Bottom line: Reform isn't always showy, but this change makes government more equitable, can lead to efficient government and raises no taxes, in fact it can reduce them. A 'reformer' would support it at the council meeting this Wednesday.
For more complete numbers see page 88
http://www.hobokennj.org/docs/council/respack10/respac-04-21-10.pdf
Tags: construction, reform
Views: 2
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by robert randall on -
Thank you David. I think you've hit the nail on the head here.
"Reform" is about having the kind of government that works to identify these kinds of issues and address them in ways that best promote the interests of Hoboken's residents and taxpayers.
It is not about grandstanding with reformy sounding slogans while trying to play "gotcha" like Mrs. Mason and Mr. Russo often do. Governing the right way is hard work and true reform is about walking the walk - not just talking the talk.
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