East Orange Water Woes Mean Tax Hike Nearby

The Livingston Town Council introduced a 2013 municipal budget, which includes a tax increase to the average homeowner of 5.7% or $140.25.  According to Township Manager Michele Meade, the increase is driven primarily by a tax delinquency from one taxpayer, the East Orange Water Commission (EOWC). The EOWC owes Livingston $2,403,063. The delinquency is so significant, according to Meade, that it alone will cost the average homeowner $101.51, a tax increase of 4.14%.

South Orange and East Orange also have had troubles with the EOWC. South Orange residents remain concerned about water quality. East Orange residents are worried about the city’s water safety, lack of notifications from the East Orange Water Commission and possible financial repercussions due to the recent indictment of top water officials and fines levied against the East Orange Water Commission.

Livingston is in litigation over the EOWC’s tax delinquency, however, Meade indicated the township has little control over the pace with which the issue is resolved; that is up to the courts.

Meade said that without the EOWC tax delinquency, the tax increase for the average Livingston homeowner would have been just $38.74, or 1.56%.