NEPTUNE, NJ — A recent gathering of public records by Neptune United has revealed “repeated discrepancies” in tax assessments in Neptune Township. According to Neptune United, a community advocacy organization, the inconsistencies are between the land value assessments assigned to properties owned by the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association (OGCMA) and the local Homeowners’ land value assessments.
Neptune United went back eight years in public records to research the inconsistencies and found several examples of disproportional assessments. The community advocacy association believes that Neptune may be missing out on “a substantial amount” of potential property tax revenue because of these discrepancies.
“We, the residents, deserve to know what the reason (for this) is,” a Neptune United Spokesperson said. “Given the amount of discrepancies, the volume and the quantity, it’s hard to imagine that these are all able to be explained by logistics.”
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One of several discrepancies noted by Neptune United is the inconsistency with the OGCMA’s tax-exempt and unexempt properties. Due to the OGCMA’s status as a “church/charity organization,” several of its properties are tax-exempt, like the lot (referred to as a “park”) on Inskip Avenue, however, others are not, like the adjacent tennis courts.
According to Neptune United’s data, which can viewed here, the assessed value of the land of the park (0.59 acres) was $811,300 in 2023, while the assessed value of the land of the tennis courts (also 0.59 acres) was $215,600. In other words, the taxed land is being assessed nearly $600,000 less than the equally sized tax-exempt land. This is just one of several examples analyzed by Neptune United.
The group adds that there is a discrepancy between the OGCMA’s unexempt properties and the average Neptune homeowner’s properties. According to the 2023 data, which was analyzed by assessed value per acre, OGCMA unexempted properties were assessed at an average of $1,721,461.92 per acre, while comparable properties (Homeowners) were assessed at an average of $8,040,336.16 per acre. This is a difference of over $6.3 million per acre.
An additional inconsistency was found regarding the rate of increase in assessments over the analyzed eight-year period. Between 2016 and 2023, properties owned by OGCMA saw an average of a 32.61 percent increase in its land value assessment. Homeowners saw an average of an 85.07 percent increase in their land value assessment, a 52.43 percent difference in the same amount of time.
“I’m hopeful that there is a reasonable explanation,” a Neptune United Spokesperson told TAPinto. “Because otherwise, that would mean that there’s some really alarming conduct that’s been harming the residents of Neptune for probably over a decade.”
According to Neptune United, both a letter and an email were sent to the Neptune Tax Assessor Bernard Haney back in November 2023. The letter and email, which can be seen here, asked Haney a number of questions regarding the inconsistencies. Neptune United has not yet received a response from Haney as of press time, according to Neptune United representatives. Haney has also not responded to TAPinto Neptune/Neptune City’s inquiries as of the time of this publication. This article will be updated if/when Haney responds to TAPinto's inquries.
According to the Neptune Township website, the Assessor's Office is "responsible to the citizens of Neptune Township for the fair assessment of all property in order that the tax burden be distributed equitably," and "strives to keep the public well informed on all tax assessment matters."
“As always, Neptune United is here to advocate for the parody and equity of all Neptune residents,” the Spokesperson continued. “And that includes all property owners paying their fair share of the tax burden.”